“The greatest battle we face as human beings is the battle to protect our true selves from the self the world wants us to become.”
– E. E. Cummings (The Masks That We Wear 2017)
I wear a mask because I fear that the world will find out who I really am. But is it exhausting keeping up the pretence. I am not and cannot be my authentic and true self in my masks. I get weighed down by the masks. I put on more masks during the day, not always remembering to take the masks I already have on. The masks become so heavy to carry round each day. And who is beneath these masks? Do I even know who I am anymore? This is taking its toll on my mental well-being.
I have worn masks all my life, yet I wasn’t born with them. I have held onto negative messages and put the masks on to protect myself from them. So, if I put the masks on then surely I can take them off? But I can only take them off when I am ready.
Accepting who I really am and learning to love myself is the first step. I am unique and I should celebrate that fact instead of trying to fit in with the crowd. Now I need to take a deep breath and remove the mask. It is time to fight my greatest battle. I will win the battle just watch me.
REFERENCE
The Masks That We Wear. 2017. Psychology Today [online]. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/laugh-your-way-well-being/201510/the-masks-we-wear [accessed 4 December 2017].
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