Your stims, and if they are accepted

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My worst one which people have commented on is that I scratch and pick at my scalp. It is something I have done since I was about 18, and I always thought it was just a habit that I had to try and break. Now, at nearly age 40, I finally get diagnosed and I discover it's a stim. And then I realise that I have a lot of other stims too, and I'm suddenly aware of all these things that I do that I never really thought about before.

When I'm sitting, I tend to press my cheecks and fiddle with my bottom lip. I also fidget with my jewlery, rubbing my necklace on my lip or rolling a ring around my finger.

I also have lots of subtle hand stims which I do a lot more when I'm walking. Various versions of tucking my fingers into the squashy parts of my hands, or pressing the skin away from the my nails. It just looks I'm my hands are tucked into a fist, so I don't think anyone notices. I also like to line up the ends of my fingers so that they are in a straight line all the same size, and then rub them with my thumb. This is very orderly and soothing.

Sometimes I wonder if dancing is like a big stim for me, as I really like the way it feels when I move and stretch and wiggle.

When I'm really stressed or extra happy I hand flap. When I start thinking too much and going over conversations in my head, sometimes I start saying things out loud (it's a kind of involuntary thing). Since getting diagnosed, I have let this happen instead of trying to hold it in, just repeating the phrase that wants to come out a few times and it does help the stress of it to go away. But I wouldn't want to do it if anyone was listening.

Oh, and shiney sparkley things... Yay!

My worst habit is having long, uncomfortable pauses when I speak. I hate when it happens.

I think if they are accepted or not depends on whom I am around, location, and the situation.

I do know that my dermatillomania, or what is now know as excoriation disorder, is never acceptable. When I find that I can't consciously stop it I will try various things to help: cutting my nails, wearing gloves, chapstick for my lips, face cream, etc,... My husband will hold my hands when he is next to me and he notices that I'm doing it.

Other stims that I am aware of:
Leg bouncing
Foot shaking/jiggling
Swaying
Sighing
Doodling

The following two are not acceptable, IMO, due to emotional repercussions. It's really embarrassing when someone brings it to my attention:

Blank stare off into the distance - everything in front of me fades away and it's as if I'm watching a film reel of my current train of thought. Super embarrassing when I do it in the middle of a conversation.

Facial expressions - some of them are beyond strange. My husband started taking photos of me so I could see. Now, he starts chuckling or copying me which tends to hurt my feelings after awhile. I know he thinks it's funny/cute, it doesn't make me feel better about it though. Meh.