Anyone else with ASD

[cocksstrideintheevening]

Got to mid life (I'm 45) and just started to think fuck it I'm not masking anymore?

Not in a rude away but eg being asked to an event that would be super stressful, or a meal where you can't eat the food or telling a family member no because it just doesn't work for you.

Is this a normal progression / acceptance?

Eg today I was asked to go to a football game, I've always gone and hated it, all of it.
Today I decided I'm not going, why put myself through it. No drama, just I'm not
Going today.

Or is this something NT people just do anyway?

I may possibly be overthinking the whole thing...

Yeah you’re overthinking it. Remember also NT people aren’t a separate species who all behave alike. Sometimes I go along to something just to make a friend/family member happy or to foster a friendship or work opportunity or to try something new in case I like it. Some things I will always say, “no thanks I’ll pass” - I’d never subject myself to an afternoon of football or tennis, or a spa day!

I'm much less willing to mask now than I was a few years ago, I'm 47. I'm not sure if it's the ASD or just the onset of crazy cat lady age...probably a bit of both.