06/11/2026
“When you say ‘yes’ to others make sure you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself.” – Paulo Coelho
One of the things that I often hear from people is that they sometimes need to put on a mask to be/behave in a certain way to meet other people’s needs/expectations... and it can be exhausting to maintain that image.
Have you ever pretended to be someone that you aren’t, or to feel something that you don’t feel?
It takes courage to take the mask off and to accept ourselves and our emotions, especially if we sense that we may let others down.
According to an article in Psychology Today, there are three practical reasons why you may wish to shed your masks:
1: To live to your potential. We have to bring all of who we are to what we do.
2: To experience relief. It is exhausting to live an inauthentic life.
3: To experience healing. When we wear masks, we carve a piece of ourselves out—withholding parts of ourselves as unworthy. But in relationships, we can’t be truly healed unless we offer up all the pieces.
What masks do you wear, and what would like be like if you gave yourself permission to be your true self? 💙
