Have you ever felt like the world only applauds the mask you wear—but would turn away if they saw the real you?
Maybe you’ve perfected the art of “looking the part.” You say the right things, keep it all together for your job, your family, your responsibilities. People admire you for it. But behind the smile, there’s an ache. Exhaustion. Quiet moments where you wonder if anyone really knows—or cares—who you are beneath the performance.

I know that place. I lived there for years. I believed if I ever let the mask slip, I’d lose everything. So I performed. I excelled. I smiled while I was breaking inside. And over time, I started to disappear into my own life—not because I was weak, but because I had learned it was safer to hide than to be seen.

Why We Hide

None of us were born hiding. As children, we came into the world with our hearts wide open, unapologetically ourselves. But somewhere along the way, we learned the “rules”:
Don’t be too loud. Don’t rock the boat. Don’t make anyone uncomfortable.

We built our masks to survive—whether as the perfect daughter, the flawless employee, or the strong one who never needs help. Those masks kept the peace… but they also hid our pain. Eventually, we start to believe the mask is who we are.

And the cost? Disconnection—from others, from Spirit, from ourselves.

The Turning Point

For me, meditation was the doorway back to myself. I didn’t leap out from behind the mask all at once. I tested the waters—one toe in, one toe out—always checking for safety. Over time, I learned that authenticity isn’t about ripping the mask off in one dramatic gesture. It’s about reclaiming small pieces of yourself, one by one, until being real feels more natural than hiding.

Sometimes that means saying, “I’m tired,” instead of “I’m fine.”
It means wearing what you love, even if it’s not in style.
It means speaking up in meetings—or starting a podcast—when every part of you wants to stay invisible.

These micro-moments teach your nervous system: It’s safe to be me.

Anchoring Back Into Yourself

When you feel yourself retreating behind the mask, pause. Place your hand on your heart, close your eyes, and say:

I am safe to be me.
I trust the truth within me.

Then imagine roots growing from your feet deep into the earth. Feel the stability. The grounding. This is how you return to yourself again and again, until the mask no longer feels like home.

Your values are your compass. They anchor you when the world pulls you toward old habits. For me, one of those values is integrity. When I finally began aligning my choices with integrity—whether that meant firing a misaligned assistant or standing firm in an insurance dispute—the heaviness I carried began to lift.

Letting Go and Moving Forward

When you start living authentically, not everyone will applaud. Some will feel uncomfortable. Some will leave. Let them. If they can’t grow with you, they’re not meant to walk the next part of your path. Bless them for the gift they gave you and keep moving forward.

Living in your truth means you stop chasing approval and start attracting the people, opportunities, and experiences that align with who you really are. It means redefining success—not as being liked by everyone, but as liking who you are when you’re alone.

Your Invitation

This week, choose one area where you’ve been hiding. Take one small, safe step toward showing up as your real self. Remember: the world doesn’t need your perfection—it needs your presence.

You were never meant to be the mask.
The world needs your light, your truth, and your unique energy.

And as you take each step toward authenticity, know you are not alone. That’s why I created The Journey of an Awakening Spirit—a space where you can find tools, connection, and encouragement to come home to yourself.