What are the masks you wear? Who do you wear them for? How do they serve you—and at what cost?
Many of us move through life wearing invisible masks, crafted from the need to belong, to feel safe, to be loved. We pick up cues from our parents, peers, our environment, and society, molding ourselves to fit expectations. We tell ourselves stories like “I deserve love if…” or “I’ll give love when…” These masks offer a false sense of control, but they also create distance—from others, and from ourselves.
So, what happens when you begin to take the mask off?
It can be deeply confronting. Who am I without it? If the identity I’ve crafted was designed to be accepted by others, then who is the person underneath it all?
This is the beginning of the real journey—the one within. And for many of us, myself included, it starts from the outside. We look to yoga, philosophy, and religion. We search for answers in books, teachers, and traditions because the landscape of our inner world feels foreign, even intimidating. The path inward can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory—even if it’s your own soul you’re walking toward.
For me, the search began outwardly. I sought out wisdom, devoured spiritual teachings, and practiced diligently. These things opened doors, gave me glimpses of truth. But real transformation only came through lived experience. Wisdom isn’t just knowledge—it’s what’s been alchemized through humility, through vulnerability, through raw life.
And here’s the truth: it takes courage to be vulnerable. It takes discipline to resist the instinct to judge yourself—or others—when wounds surface. It’s a slow peeling away of layers that once protected you, even shaped you. And yet, those same layers may now be keeping you small.
I’ve faced my own darkness—the kind of life moments that shake you so hard you wish they were just bad dreams. I hoped someone would wake me up. No one did. So eventually, I woke myself up. I turned inward, not because I felt brave, but because I was out of options. I walked that path alone at first—not because it was wise, but because I was afraid and ashamed.
And that solitude, that silence… it echoed. I replayed my pain over and over in my own mind. I couldn’t speak it aloud, because that would make it real. That’s the tricky thing about trauma—it gains its power in our resistance to it.
Eventually, I learned something crucial: you don’t have to do it alone. In fact, it’s far more healing when done in the company of those who see you, support you, and hold space for you without judgment. Whether it’s a loving partner, friends, family, or a trained professional, the presence of another can be the mirror that gently reflects your true self back to you.
Still, not everyone has that support. I count myself blessed to have a support system— who loves me unconditionally. And even with that, this path isn’t always easy. Choosing love over fear isn’t a one-time decision. Staying open after you’ve been shattered takes ongoing courage. Remaining present in a world that encourages numbing, distracting, or living in the past or future is a radical act.
To be present, unmasked, vulnerable—like a child discovering the world for the first time—is a revolutionary way to live.
It takes immense courage to say, “Actually, I’m not okay.” To allow yourself to feel anger at injustice. To cry, to scream, to be fully human in the presence of others who do not turn away.
This kind of honesty heals not just you—but everyone who witnesses it. Why? Because we are all reflections of one another. When one of us dares to show up authentically, something softens in the other. We remember who we are beneath the roles and expectations.
This is the invitation now: to unmask. To let yourself be seen—not by everyone, but perhaps by someone or something that loves you unconditionally.
For me, that “someone” was my mother. That “something” was nature. They offered me a mirror that didn’t distort. A love that didn’t need explanations.
There is no rush. There is only trust. Trust that your timing is divine. That your presence is enough. That your worthiness was never conditional.
The masks served a purpose in a world ruled by fear. But what if we created a world rooted in love? What need would we have for masks then?
So take your time. Be gentle. Be curious. And when you're ready—let yourself be seen. In doing so, you won’t just free yourself. You’ll light the way for others to do the same.
Amanda Luna, Amanda is the co-founder of Ecomaste, a passionate herbalist, and a
Holistic Wellbeing Guide. She intertwines her love for the natural world through various forms of herbalism, mindfulness and movement medicine like qi-gong, yoga, dance and art.
With a mission to support love, harmony, and wholeness for people, beings, and lands, Amanda strives to rebuild regenerative relationships with the Earth and guide others towards balance and holistic wellness through her compassionate and intuitive approach.
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