Gaussian blur only blurring outside selection made by lasso during frequency seperation

[KatyC_Photo]

Okay, so. I just learned frequency seperation. I did a few photos last night no problem. I use the lasso to select and blur on the low frequency layer and use the healing brush on the high layer like all the videos say to do.

Today, I go to do another photo, and now when I make a selection using the lasso, and then go to gaussian blur, it blurs the whole photo OUTSIDE the selection, leaving the inside of the selection unchanged. I'm so confused! I haven't done anything diffferently than yesterday. I thought maybe I should just inverse the selection before I blur and it does the exact same thing. I tried resetting the workspace, restarting photoshop, and then restarting my computer. Nothing changed.

Has anyone had this issue before?? What could I possibly be doing wrong??? I can't find anyone anywhere talking about this issue.

Attaching photos so you can see whats happening, hopefully:

make selection using lasso:

After pressing Q to enter quick mask (just so you can see my selection. I exit quick mask before going to blur)

Gaussian blur with preview and without:

thank you so much for any help!!

[Chuck Uebele]

Have you tried resetting your preferences?

[KatyC_Photo]

yes 😕

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

Outside of you accidentally inverting the quick mask, (e.g. clicking ctrl/alt on the quickmask icon in the Tools), I'm not sure what could be doing it off hand.

[KatyC_Photo]

yeah, that's what I figured too ... 😕

[Leslie Moak Murray]

Try going Select/Inverse

[KatyC_Photo]

it doesn't change anything. still blurs outside the selection 😞

[Leslie Moak Murray]

Why are you entering Quick Mask? Why not  just do the selection?

[KatyC_Photo]

I only entered quick mask for the sole purpose of showing y'all that my selection wasn't inverted. Sorry if that was unclear.

[Semaphoric]

Could you post a screenshot showing the Layers panel?