Why LGBTQ+ People Feel Exhausted: Masking, Code Switching & The “Game of Belonging

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Welcome back to Let's Be Perfectly Queer Podcast, your go to LGBT Australian podcast for all things queer.

In this episode Archie sits down with wellness coach and licensed social worker Devin Scott to unpack something so many LGBTQ+ people experience, but rarely talk about: the exhaustion of masking, code switching, and trying to “belong.”

With Devin we unpack what it really means to play the “game of belonging”… and why even when you “win,” it can still feel like something’s missing.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted from being “on,” struggled to feel seen even when your life looks successful, or questioned who you really are underneath it all, this conversation is for you.

We explore:

•  Why masking and code switching are survival tools for LGBTQ+ people 
•  The mental health impact of long-term masking (burnout 👀) 
•  Queer perfectionism and the pressure to “fit” everywhere 
•  How shame shows up and why it’s not always the enemy 
•  The difference between being accepted and actually being seen 
•  Where to start if you’re realising you’ve been “playing the game” 

Because the truth is a lot of us were never taught how to exist as ourselves safely.

So we adapted. We performed. We survived.

🎧 Listen now and ask yourself… are you being yourself, or just playing the game of belonging? And until next time, stay perfectly queer!

Get in touch with Devin:

Email: devin@findyourmeaning.coach
Website: https://findyourmeaning.coach/
Instagram: @devinscott.nyc

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Much love
Archie & Katie 🌈