I learned to mask when I was in school and I realized how my extreme shyness made adults uncomfortable. The only time I offered to speak was when I was sure I had the right answer and I found it easy to learn, so I would raise my hand with great enthusiasm. "Call on Me!" But the rest of the time, I wanted attention but could not ask for it and few adults (my grandmother for one), took the time to engage with such a quiet, complicated - not funny or entertaining kid. So I abandoned myself and morphed into whatever the environment was asking for. Ouch!
I learned to mask when I was in school and I realized how my extreme shyness made adults uncomfortable. The only time I offered to speak was when I was sure I had the right answer and I found it easy to learn, so I would raise my hand with great enthusiasm. "Call on Me!" But the rest of the time, I wanted attention but could not ask for it and few adults (my grandmother for one), took the time to engage with such a quiet, complicated - not funny or entertaining kid. So I abandoned myself and morphed into whatever the environment was asking for. Ouch!