Yes! It hands us the receipts. Couldn't agree more. Who was paying the bill, and for what? That's the honest question. Because "authenticity" and "false self" both assume the person is the variable. The invoice tells a different story. Great piece. 🌿
We’re so often obsessed with finding our "true self," as if it’s buried under a pile of rubble somewhere. But after reading this, I realized that’s the wrong goal. It’s not about finding some hidden version of you; it’s about realizing the massive cost you’ve been paying just to keep up the "mask." That persona you wear to survive in the world isn't a lie-it’s just the bill for all the emotional exhaustion you’ve been covering for years.
"The diagnosis didn't hand me back a self. It handed me the receipts." What a memorable metaphor. I found myself thinking about all the invisible costs people carry long before anyone else can see them. Thank you for such a thoughtful essay.
Yes! It hands us the receipts. Couldn't agree more. Who was paying the bill, and for what? That's the honest question. Because "authenticity" and "false self" both assume the person is the variable. The invoice tells a different story. Great piece. 🌿
Thank you, Alexandra [blush]
We’re so often obsessed with finding our "true self," as if it’s buried under a pile of rubble somewhere. But after reading this, I realized that’s the wrong goal. It’s not about finding some hidden version of you; it’s about realizing the massive cost you’ve been paying just to keep up the "mask." That persona you wear to survive in the world isn't a lie-it’s just the bill for all the emotional exhaustion you’ve been covering for years.
I wrote about this bill a little while ago on my blog:
https://mindblownpsychology.com/allostatic-load-reduction-decades-chronic-stress-research/
https://mindblownpsychology.com/autistic-masking-interpretive-labour/
I am gonna reading them 😃 and thank you for sharing with me !
So true! Well noted, Alix ❤️
☕️🥐😊!
"The diagnosis didn't hand me back a self. It handed me the receipts." What a memorable metaphor. I found myself thinking about all the invisible costs people carry long before anyone else can see them. Thank you for such a thoughtful essay.
[blush] Thank you, Mary 😄