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   Hal Pomeranz (hal_pomeranz@infosec.exchange)'s status on Friday, 02-Feb-2024 19:35:38 JST Hal Pomeranz

   The trite life advice about “being your authentic self” comes from a place of incredible privilege.

   It presumes your “authentic self” is not too neurodivergent, queer, kinky, sad, angry, disabled, ethnic, sick, poor, unhoused, phobic, self-medicating, or any of a million other things that can send unwanted signals when interacting with people in a largely homogenous society in the real world. Either that or you are wealthy enough that you can simply not GAF.

   So quit giving out this life advice and recognize that many people have to hide who they are just to get themselves through life. And they have to deal with the constant stream of negative feelings that result from that. Have empathy, because people really are fighting hard battles out there.

   And if people feel safe enough around you to reveal even a small fraction of their authentic selves to you, take it as a high honor. Embrace them and show love. Strive to make the world a safer place for all.