When was the last time you experienced a moment in your day that you felt authentic?
When a personal situation occurs that is overwhelming and hard to digest, you know you should not bring those emotions to work so you must find a way to present yourself in a professional manner throughout your day - Does this sound familiar?
Prior to coming to work - how do you prepare for the day ahead, do you: psych yourself up, have thoughts of dread, or think about existing just to get through your day?
When interacting with a patient/caregiver, have you ever felt like you are questioning your abilities to aid or comfort them?
What is it like to be mandated to a meeting that disrupts your day and delays your passion for patient care - you have to be an active participant even when you do not see the value and are resentful of your time not being honored?
When you arrive at home after work, exhausted and possibly frustrated, how often do you feel you bury your day and put on a happy face?
These are examples of the many masks that you may be wearing everyday. Wearing so many masks can lead to additional stress, burnout, and exhaustion.
There are many festivities associated with Halloween, during those events we will willingly don masks that let us step outside our usual selves, transporting us to a space of our choosing. In our daily lives, we also wear many ‘masks’ - but how many are chosen with intention, and how long do they remain? The distinction between a Halloween mask and an everyday mask lies in the conscious choice behind it.
What are we talking about when we say The MASKS YOU WEAR?
As a Healthcare professional, you are probably familiar with the wearing of various emotional or personality masks throughout the day. Just like the physical mask protects you and others, emotional masks serve as shields to safely navigate different environments and interactions. These masks may come into play when dealing with patients, colleagues, or even ourselves, projecting emotions like confidence, empathy, or calmness - even when we may feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or insecure underneath.
Why do we have masks:
Impostor Syndrome: Many healthcare professionals experience this feeling, especially when trying to live up to the high standards expected of them. We may wear a mask of confidence to project competence, even when doubting our own abilities.
Insecurity: Sometimes, we may put on a mask to hide our vulnerabilities, especially when the stakes are high in patient care settings.
Responsibility: The role of a healthcare professional carries a significant weight of responsibility. We might wear a mask of authority or control to maintain an air of calmness and ensure that patients feel secure, even when we ourselves feel stressed or unsure.
Protection: Dealing with emotional or traumatic situations requires us to shield our personal emotions to remain professional. This is a protective mask that helps us maintain emotional balance.
Fear: Whether it is fear of making a mistake, fear of not being enough, or fear of burnout, this mask keeps those fears hidden beneath the surface so we can perform our duties effectively.
Anger: Hiding behind an anger mask can create a barrier that prevents us from expressing our true feelings. This mask can lead to miscommunication and strained relationships, and overtime, relying on anger can take a toll on our mental and physical health.
How many of these masks would you say resonate with you?
How does your Mask FIT?
To further explore how your mask fits, it is beneficial to ask yourself the the following question : How would people you interact with on a daily basis describe you?
Colleagues / managers / leaders
Patients / caregivers
Friends / family
Complete strangers
The point of this exercise is to truly understand if and where you are wearing masks. This is a profound reflection on the emotional and psychological masks that you wear in different contexts and relationships. The question will challenge us to deeply examine the roles we play, consciously or unconsciously, and how it can impact our authenticity and wellbeing.
As healthcare professionals or individuals in any role, taking a personal inventory of our masks is essential for growth and self-acceptance. By becoming aware of why we wear these masks—whether out of fear, insecurity, or the need for protection—we can make intentional choices about how we want to show up in our lives.
Understanding why the masks we wear is the first step to allow us to begin to remove any specific mask, leading to a more authentic and fulfilled life. The process is not easy! It requires vulnerability! It is also liberating. As Fanny Brice said, "living without the constant need to pose allows us to be truly ourselves, to live to our potential, and to experience relief and healing".
This journey of self-awareness is not about perfection; it’s about your growth. Every step towards shedding a mask is a step towards embracing who you truly are, in all facets of your life. Becoming aware of the masks you wear is the first step to living authentically, with purpose, and to your fullest potential. By confronting our fears and embracing our real self, we unlock the possibility for deeper connections, greater peace, and the opportunity to live a life that aligns with our true values.
What are the masks you’re ready to explore and potentially shed?
Removing emotional and personal masks is a process of self-discovery and growth that involves several key steps. Here is how you can start the journey of shedding these masks to live a more authentic and fulfilling life:
1. Develop Self-Awareness
The first step is recognizing the mask you wear and becoming aware of when and why you wear them. This awareness can come through reflection, asking yourself questions like:
When do I feel like I am not being true to myself?
What situations or people trigger the need to wear a mask?
How do I want others to perceive me, and how does that influence my behavior?
Action: Journal about your daily interactions and emotions. Pay attention to patterns where you feel inauthentic or when you are trying to protect yourself.
2. Understand the Purpose of Each Mask
Each mask serves a purpose—protection, insecurity, fear, or a sense of duty. Take time to understand the reasons behind each mask:
Protection: You may use a mask to guard against emotional harm.
Fear: Fear of failure or rejection might lead you to hide your true self.
Insecurity: You might feel you are not good enough, so you adopt a more confident persona.
Impostor Syndrome: Your fear of being “found out” as inadequate, so you act more capable than you feel.
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