The Masks We Wear: Embracing Authenticity and Living Unfiltered
As Halloween rolls around and we embrace Scorpio season, we’re surrounded by masks of all kinds—witches, superheroes, animals—but there’s one type of mask that sticks with us well past the 31st. I’m talking about the invisible, personal ones we put on every day, those crafted identities that protect us and hide who we are, piece by piece.
For a long time, I wore my own version of these masks, convinced that if I just changed enough on the outside, I’d finally feel healed and whole inside. The lesson that really struck me was this: just because I changed doesn’t mean I had healed. I’d wanted so much to be seen as the butterfly—the perfect version of myself—before I was truly ready. The deeper work showed me I don’t need to be perfect to be whole, and I don’t have to be all things to all people. What I need is to stand in my truth and know that I am enough.
As we take a closer look at the masks we wear, let’s dive into the big question: why do we put them on? And even better, how do we remove them so we can show up authentically, for ourselves and the world?
“True healing isn’t about perfect transformation; it’s about showing up each day, flaws and all, knowing that I am enough just as I am.”
Types of Masks We Wear and Why We Wear Them
The “Everything’s Fine” Mask
We all know this one! It’s the mask we put on when we feel like crumbling but don’t want anyone else to see our struggles. We use it to appear strong or unaffected, fearing vulnerability might make us seem “less than.” Ironically, it’s in these vulnerable moments that we discover our true resilience.
The “People Pleaser” Mask
If you’ve ever felt compelled to agree with everyone around you or bend over backward to make others happy, you’ve likely worn this mask. It comes from a deep desire to be liked and validated, but the price is our own boundaries. We end up losing touch with what we actually want because we're so focused on others' needs.
The “Know-It-All” Mask
Whether it’s about showing up as the expert or hiding our insecurities behind knowledge, this mask gives us a sense of control. But it also keeps us from learning, growing, and showing up with the curiosity and openness that could bring even deeper fulfillment.
The “All Things to All People” Mask
Ah, the multi-tasker’s dream mask! We wear this one when we try to be everything for everyone, whether it's at work, home, or in our friendships. It stems from a need to be needed but can quickly lead to burnout, leaving us feeling scattered and depleted.
The “I’m Already Healed” Mask
This one is trickier. As we grow, there’s a temptation to believe we’re “done” with healing. We want to feel like we’ve “made it,” but sometimes it’s just another mask. True healing often means admitting that growth is ongoing and that we can be a “work in progress” while still being whole.
Why It’s Time to Take the Masks Off
Wearing these masks can serve a purpose—they keep us safe, protect our hearts, and sometimes even help us “fit in.” But ultimately, they hold us back from true connection. Each mask we wear is another layer that separates us from our real selves and from others who might be waiting to meet the real us.
For me, understanding that I don’t have to be a butterfly before my time was a revelation. The journey isn’t about perfect transformation; it’s about showing up each day, flaws and all, knowing that I am enough just as I am. This is where true freedom lives.
How to Embrace Your True Self Without the Masks
Start Small
Pick one area of your life where you feel safe enough to take off a mask. For instance, try being open about a recent struggle with a friend instead of saying, “I’m fine.” Vulnerability can feel raw, but it’s the gateway to real connection.Practice Self-Compassion It’s easy to be hard on ourselves for hiding or for not being “ready” to face certain aspects of who we are. Remind yourself: you are enough as you are. Wholeness isn’t about perfection but about embracing every part of yourself, even the parts still healing.
Be Honest About What You Need Are you wearing a mask because of a need for validation, acceptance, or control? Once you understand the “why,” you can start exploring ways to meet these needs without pretending to be something you’re not.
Reflect Often Set aside time to check in with yourself. What masks have you been wearing today? What part of you feels unseen or unaccepted? This gentle self-reflection can help you reconnect to the real you and remind you that you don’t need to wear a mask to be loved.
Celebrate Your Authenticity When you take off a mask, no matter how small, celebrate it! Each moment of authenticity brings you closer to yourself and attracts people who resonate with the real you.
Embracing Who You Are: No Mask Required
This Halloween, as we put on costumes, let’s also think about the masks we’ve been wearing in our lives. Our journey to authenticity doesn’t require us to be perfect, just honest. When we start to see ourselves without the masks, we unlock a deeper joy, a sense of peace, and, most importantly, a life where we are free to be our true selves. Because in the end, there’s only one you, and that’s all you’ll ever need to be.
Ready to Discover Your Life DNA? Let’s Unmask Together
If you’re ready to dive deeper and shed those protective layers, I’m here to help. Through my Life DNA approach—using tarot and astrology to uncover your unique life blueprint—we can explore what masks you’ve been wearing and why, gaining clarity on how to live a life of authenticity and joy. Book a reading today to begin the journey to your true self. Because sometimes, to find our light, we first have to step into the shadows.
Resources:
Want to learn more about my unique Life DNA approach or just Tarot-curious? CLICK HERE
The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brené Brown BUY IT HERE
