“Masking” and “natural” kinda contradict each other

No they literally don’t. It is in my nature to mask. Whether it’s engrained in me since childhood, or it’s part of my DNA, I only know how to mask, and it’s very difficult for me not to. It’s MY nature, it’s natural to me. I do not make a conscious effort to mask.

Also for your first point, I typed out a whole article, realized it was preachy and entitled, then deleted it. Tbh, I probably shouldnt have made the comment at all. But Ive been fortunate enough that my depression never affected my need to shower. I attribute that to my autistic nature of 1) masking and 2) routine. Whether that’s the truth or not idk.

The point I was trying to make, and failed to do so, was that autism comes in many flavors. Mine apparently does the opposite of yours where I’m very self conscious about how I look, sound, and smell. I am confident that I don’t stink and I’m not nose blind to it cause I am so worried that I don’t smell pleasant, that I constantly take additional measures to fit in just like everyone else would.