My name is Ayo.

I am autistic.

If you have met me before, you may not have realised this. I am what is often referred to as a “high masker.” For me, this means that, from a very young age, I received subtle and overt messages from society that my natural way of being was unacceptable. In response, I developed a persona that allowed me to navigate the world and achieve a sense of safety.

However, this masking comes at a significant personal cost: chronic burnout, ongoing fatigue, and health challenges.

While taking a holiday recently, I reflected on the fact that we cannot take a break from ourselves or from the coping mechanisms we have built. True change requires conscious effort and intentionality.

Therefore, I am committing to doing something different. I am choosing to begin the process of unmasking, in ways that feel safe and sustainable for me.

If you would like to follow my journey of unmasking and self-acceptance, I invite you to subscribe to my blog and join me as I navigate this path.