Understanding Your Feelings When You’re Autistic There’s this quiet assumption in the world that you should just know how you feel. Someone asks, “How did that make you feel?” and you’re expected to have an answer ready. Not just an answer, but the right one. Clear, simple, emotionally precise.

Low self-esteem almost always stems from trauma. Sometimes that trauma is obvious and unmistakable. Abuse. Assault. Bullying. Accidents. Violence. Racism. Homophobia. Transphobia. Growing up in unsafe or unpredictable environments. And sometimes it’s quieter. So quiet it often gets dismissed or minimised. And sometimes it’s quieter. So quiet it often gets dismissed or minimised. Being compared unfavourably to siblings.