A playful look at the masks we wear

“For me, Halloween has always been about safely giving yourself the space to become what your imagination desires.”—Janelle Monáe

The Masks We Wear

Halloween gives us permission to play with our imaginations.

For one evening, we can become someone—or something—entirely different. A costume may help us feel mysterious, powerful, playful, courageous, or simply less serious than usual.

But costumes aren’t the only masks we wear.

In everyday life, we may wear the mask of the person who always has everything under control. The one who says yes, even when she wants to say no. The strong one who doesn’t ask for help. The calm one who hides how worried or overwhelmed she feels.

These masks aren’t necessarily bad. Sometimes they protect us, help us meet expectations, or allow us to move through a difficult situation.

But when a mask becomes familiar, we may forget we’re wearing it. We may continue using it long after it has stopped serving us—or even begin to believe it’s the only version of ourselves available to us.

Imagination gives us another possibility.

Instead of using it only to hide what we feel, we can use it to explore how we would genuinely like to show up.

Perhaps you’d like to bring forward a version of yourself who is: