Admitting your needs post diagnosis
I've written about Autistic Permissions in another post, and whilst this one is close, I think it falls under a completely different emotional category.
Prior to diagnosis I'd mask, this was 24*7, and for the most part automatic - I wasn't aware it was going on. The form of masking in this case is the denial of needs, and clinging on to a life, a mode of existence where the denial hammers you into the ground. For me, one of the major things was the need to share things, and keep people safe. Over the last year post diagnosis, and the death of my wife, this has become more apparent.
On the rare occasion when I'm out with friends, I need to be the one ensuring everyone and everything is going to plan. I'm more the shepherd than owt else. It's a rare occasion when I can relax and let others take care of me. Until recently I'd not even thought of myself this way, now it's so clear I'm kicking myself for not realising sooner. Perhaps it's only when something is missing from your life, or a massive life changing event occurs that these things stand out from the background existence - honestly don't know, but this is my experience. Perhaps it quiets a part of my mind that by taking care of everyone and everything it can relax a little. Sometimes I've been called, as I suspect have a lot of autistics, a 'control freak'.
Regarding Sharing. Sharing is a form of connection. I think so many of us struggle to connect with others. There's the whole 'special interest' thing, where with other like-minded people we're good to go, but there is so much more to share in life. I miss sharing with my wife, my person - we could share 99% of things. Now it's fucking hard. I have a few very close people I can share with, be it achievements, skills, food, music, etc... the list goes on. The point is that I've just become startlingly aware that this is an actual 'need'. I'm also aware of the neurotypical reactions to some of this... I've been told I 'overshare' sometimes. Well, fuck it, I need this... Don't know about any other autistics, but it's my lived experience.
So yes, try to become aware of your needs, pre or post diagnosis, I think it's healthy for us all to do that.