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Why do people hide behind masks?
The internet is one particular mask that many people use to hide their true selves. Perhaps because they have faced derision or cruelty at the hands of others, or are just embarrassed and cannot face people.
Some people find it difficult to talk to others face to face and find the internet a far less personal medium for chat, while at the same time offering a more personal alternative to what they would be faced with in 'real life'.
But it isn't just the internet. Many people find that they can only act in a certain way to others because they are afraid of their true feelings. This too is a mask of sorts. They may seem angry or aloof, but it is just a front for their real feelings because they cannot profess them aloud for fear of rejection or hurt.
Others find their mask is a more literal one, hiding behind clothes, not necessarily real masks but style and substance that in the end provides much less substance for their hidden self. The outcome is that they appear easy to coax and have no true personality because they are fearful that others may not befriend them if they have their own identity.
Masks can be the only way for some people to communicate with others, but what happens when they find that they need more intimacy. Will they be scared and not allow anyone to see the real them or does the lifting of a mask open up a whole new world to them? Most people would agree that openness is something that would be applauded and rewarded, but it is so hard to achieve after living behind a false identity for so long. If you have true friends they will stick by you whatever you are hiding, but to gain true friends you will have to be honest and not deceive people.
Of course, losing a mask or revealing your true self leads ultimately to questioning your whole reason for living and providing answers to your identity that you may not want to hear. This is an important stage in development and can be tough for any individual to achieve.
A mask is not just a literal thing, but some people rely on it to survive. If only more people would let down their masks, then they might find that instead of rejections they receive acknowledgement.
Any thoughts?
The internet is one particular mask that many people use to hide their true selves. Perhaps because they have faced derision or cruelty at the hands of others, or are just embarrassed and cannot face people.
Some people find it difficult to talk to others face to face and find the internet a far less personal medium for chat, while at the same time offering a more personal alternative to what they would be faced with in 'real life'.
But it isn't just the internet. Many people find that they can only act in a certain way to others because they are afraid of their true feelings. This too is a mask of sorts. They may seem angry or aloof, but it is just a front for their real feelings because they cannot profess them aloud for fear of rejection or hurt.
Others find their mask is a more literal one, hiding behind clothes, not necessarily real masks but style and substance that in the end provides much less substance for their hidden self. The outcome is that they appear easy to coax and have no true personality because they are fearful that others may not befriend them if they have their own identity.
Masks can be the only way for some people to communicate with others, but what happens when they find that they need more intimacy. Will they be scared and not allow anyone to see the real them or does the lifting of a mask open up a whole new world to them? Most people would agree that openness is something that would be applauded and rewarded, but it is so hard to achieve after living behind a false identity for so long. If you have true friends they will stick by you whatever you are hiding, but to gain true friends you will have to be honest and not deceive people.
Of course, losing a mask or revealing your true self leads ultimately to questioning your whole reason for living and providing answers to your identity that you may not want to hear. This is an important stage in development and can be tough for any individual to achieve.
A mask is not just a literal thing, but some people rely on it to survive. If only more people would let down their masks, then they might find that instead of rejections they receive acknowledgement.
Any thoughts?
It seems to me that people are always hiding behind masks: whether it's make-up, clothes, a contrived outer image in general, an attitude, strong opinions, the ego….
In a way, the visible or invisible mask is an important tool of survival.
I think we all learn from an early age that constantly wearing our heart on our sleeve makes us vulnerable.
Maybe even our deepest and dearest beliefs are like masks - shielding us from us facing the possible fact that at the soul of our true selves and at the heart of life itself is nothing but an emptiness.
Perhaps even the meaning we inject into our lives is a mask? -
In a way, the visible or invisible mask is an important tool of survival.
I think we all learn from an early age that constantly wearing our heart on our sleeve makes us vulnerable.
Maybe even our deepest and dearest beliefs are like masks - shielding us from us facing the possible fact that at the soul of our true selves and at the heart of life itself is nothing but an emptiness.
Perhaps even the meaning we inject into our lives is a mask? -
I've masked the real me both on the net and in real life. Only a select few know the real me and they just happen to be on the net. I really want to ditch this mask but that wall is just too much to overcome for my weak mind.
I have 'masked' myself before, but strangely it's on the Internet where I've told people more about myself, rather than in 'real life.' And it's helped to a huge extent.
Would that be called 'masking'? Surely it isn't if I'm telling people all about myself (assuming that I'm not lying.)
Nice topic pb, well written.
Would that be called 'masking'? Surely it isn't if I'm telling people all about myself (assuming that I'm not lying.)
Nice topic pb, well written.
Excellent topic pb, perfect for someone like me to read, you are still one of a few people that knows... and I could only tell you through the internet and knowing that you couldn't harm me like others have through this medium.
Very nice.
Very nice.
I quite like this respect of the internet, im quite a shy person so i find it easier to email people than say phone them up, the same goes for text messaging.
Why do people hide behind masks?
The internet is one particular mask that many people use to hide their true selves. Perhaps because they have faced derision or cruelty at the hands of others, or are just embarrassed and cannot face people.
Some people find it difficult to talk to others face to face and find the internet a far less personal medium for chat, while at the same time offering a more personal alternative to what they would be faced with in 'real life'.
But it isn't just the internet. Many people find that they can only act in a certain way to others because they are afraid of their true feelings. This too is a mask of sorts. They may seem angry or aloof, but it is just a front for their real feelings because they cannot profess them aloud for fear of rejection or hurt.
Others find their mask is a more literal one, hiding behind clothes, not necessarily real masks but style and substance that in the end provides much less substance for their hidden self. The outcome is that they appear easy to coax and have no true personality because they are fearful that others may not befriend them if they have their own identity.
Masks can be the only way for some people to communicate with others, but what happens when they find that they need more intimacy. Will they be scared and not allow anyone to see the real them or does the lifting of a mask open up a whole new world to them? Most people would agree that openness is something that would be applauded and rewarded, but it is so hard to achieve after living behind a false identity for so long. If you have true friends they will stick by you whatever you are hiding, but to gain true friends you will have to be honest and not deceive people.
Of course, losing a mask or revealing your true self leads ultimately to questioning your whole reason for living and providing answers to your identity that you may not want to hear. This is an important stage in development and can be tough for any individual to achieve.
A mask is not just a literal thing, but some people rely on it to survive. If only more people would let down their masks, then they might find that instead of rejections they receive acknowledgement.
Any thoughts?
The internet is one particular mask that many people use to hide their true selves. Perhaps because they have faced derision or cruelty at the hands of others, or are just embarrassed and cannot face people.
Some people find it difficult to talk to others face to face and find the internet a far less personal medium for chat, while at the same time offering a more personal alternative to what they would be faced with in 'real life'.
But it isn't just the internet. Many people find that they can only act in a certain way to others because they are afraid of their true feelings. This too is a mask of sorts. They may seem angry or aloof, but it is just a front for their real feelings because they cannot profess them aloud for fear of rejection or hurt.
Others find their mask is a more literal one, hiding behind clothes, not necessarily real masks but style and substance that in the end provides much less substance for their hidden self. The outcome is that they appear easy to coax and have no true personality because they are fearful that others may not befriend them if they have their own identity.
Masks can be the only way for some people to communicate with others, but what happens when they find that they need more intimacy. Will they be scared and not allow anyone to see the real them or does the lifting of a mask open up a whole new world to them? Most people would agree that openness is something that would be applauded and rewarded, but it is so hard to achieve after living behind a false identity for so long. If you have true friends they will stick by you whatever you are hiding, but to gain true friends you will have to be honest and not deceive people.
Of course, losing a mask or revealing your true self leads ultimately to questioning your whole reason for living and providing answers to your identity that you may not want to hear. This is an important stage in development and can be tough for any individual to achieve.
A mask is not just a literal thing, but some people rely on it to survive. If only more people would let down their masks, then they might find that instead of rejections they receive acknowledgement.
Any thoughts?