When & Why We Mask Who We Are

“Masking” is a practice of concealing or withholding parts of yourself in order to fit in. Most people unconsciously learn to mask certain parts of themselves, adapting their behaviour to achieve a more positive response in others. Sometimes rooted in trauma or neurodiversity, masking can develop as a social survival strategy. Everyone, however, learns to camouflage themselves in one way or another as a result of learning what parts of our true self come with backlash. Learning when and why we mask can reveal the parts of ourselves which we fear. And while masks are often associated with falseness or mischief, ‘masking’ is usually grounded in a deep desire to connect with others. Try not to shame your masks, and instead study them to learn more about who you are.