Understanding the Masks We Wear
What mask do you wear? As you go through your day, are you a different person in different situations? At some point in our life, we are all hiding behind who we think we are supposed to be or who we want to portray ourselves to others. Society tells us we are supposed to be a certain way, or society makes us want to act a certain way. As a man, we are told we always need to be strong, never show emotions, provide for others, and strive to be the alpha. Is it really possible to be all of these things at all times?
“The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask.” Jim Morrison
When I was younger, I was scared to show my true self to people, fearing I would be rejected. As I grew older and performed the inner work, I gained confidence in myself and realized that I couldn’t really worry what other people think about me. It took me a long time to realize and honestly, it is still an issue that creeps in from time to time. Over the years, I came to terms with who I was and what I wanted in life. I no longer have to be the best in everything I do, but I have to give my best effort. My self-worth is not tied to accomplishments, how much money I make, how I look in the mirror, or my status in social circles. I’m not saying I don’t strive to win competitions, I’m still highly competitive, but I can’t wrap my identity in these issues. No matter where I stack up in each of these areas, I still must love myself and know that my family and close friends do too.
The older I get, the more I seek to cultivate meaningful relationships. You can find these relationships if you are willing to be vulnerable and stay true to your beliefs and values. At the end of the day, all that really matters is how we affect the people around us and the relationships we build in life.
Most men look at vulnerability as a sign of weakness. To me, it is a sign of strength. My definition of vulnerability is the ability to put yourself out in the world and not worry about the response. This has always been an issue for me but starting this newsletter four years ago was probably the best thing I could’ve done to overcome it. I can’t worry if someone thinks what I write is “shit” because that is inevitable. In all honesty, what I write and discuss is personally, hoping someone else will gain a small amount of value. They are issues I’ve journaled about or discussed in private with others.
There are times in life when we must wear masks. Sometimes we need to be the strong ones who can hold up our family when times are tough and persevere even when we don’t want to. My point with all of this is: recognize what masks you are wearing and if they are limiting your ability to be authentic in your relationships and with the world, it is worth it to put in the work to take those masks off.
Call To Action
At Symmetry, we help busy people take back control of their lives so they have more time, more energy, and less stress! If you’re ready to take back control of your life, set-up a FREE 15-minute call today! We are currently offering virtual breath classes to help you begin to experience the benefits of the breath. You can access our schedule here. Our programs will improve your mindset, your performance, and give you tools to better handle the stresses of everyday life. Check out our website www.symmetry.live to find out more information.
