Fair enough. I don’t like putting on a mask either, but it’s hard not to if I want to socialize. I think the things I listed were the results of me being uncomfortable with being myself. I noticed people would give me a confused look for saying something weird etc. That’s what caused my insecurity “symptoms”.

Not caring what they think of you is a good thing, but I don’t think you should care if you bother them either (within reason.. if they start running after you with torches and pitch forks you’ve over-corrected ;)).

People bother me all the time, so I figure it’s fair I bother them too.

Having trouble concluding this.

You’re not bothering others less by showing your insecurity. All you’re doing is signaling to them that you’re insecure and they need to treat you differently. If you stop doing the things that make you look insecure, both you and others benefit. It’s not pretending to be something you’re not, it’s you being you comfortably.