Hi, welcome to WP. People are really friendly here. Your zoo sounds pretty awesome! I have had problems with 'trying to appear normal' for a long time! I find it hardest when there is some kind of prior expectation, even if its very subtle, to appear in a particular sort of way. i think sometimes that expectation is constructed a great deal from my imagination and isn't really accurate, and that in fact people can be a lot more accepting of personality quirks, especially if they are more open minded people, or people i find interesting anyway. Not everyone is like that though, and memories of difficult social interactions are usually way more affecting than positive ones. Still, trusting in a less theatrical approach to being social, and not preparing, just doing whatever the hell i want to and trying to give myself permission to do so i think is the way forward.
Welcome to WP anyway