When I think of apologies right now, I think a lot about the phrase, “No is a complete sentence.” That’s so true, no is a complete sentence and that ought to be enough. For folks who are trying to get off the people pleasing train though, no is often just too hard. The word no can feel harsh, rejecting and confrontational for those not used to using it.

utism in Assigned Female at Birth people presents differently than it does in Assigned Male at Birth people. Girls are taught to internalize their Autistic traits leading to a high degree of masking. For some women it feels that their real self has disappeared and that all that is left is their mask.