Halloween is a time to reflect on being truly authentic
As the cute little trick or treaters in their Catboy masks and Disney Princess dresses came to my door for Halloween on Wednesday it gave me time to pause and think about the times we wear an invisible mask. The one I myself have worn the rest of the year, allowing people to get a glimpse of me that is not true to what is real on the inside.
I’m glad I ditched that one!
Think about those people who bridge the gap between being your business colleagues and personal friends. They probably act differently in the boardroom than they do in the game room. Which is their authentic self? Are you seeing it in either of those situations?
This year, the popular Halloween movie franchise has returned with yet another sequel. It’s doing record-setting business at the box office, which is fantastic because it stars three empowered, strong women. It’s a tall order for a story mainly about a man who becomes a killer when he slips on a mask to do so well at the movie theater, but I think there’s something we can all subconsciously identify with in both the heroine’s and the antagonist’s roles that draws people to a movie like this.
One of the producers of the movie gave an interview recently talking about how bad guy Michael Myers, is pictured through the first third of the film without his mask. This is to remind the audience that he isn’t some mythical monster. Behind his mask, he’s just a man nobody understands. And that makes him scarier, not because of his actions, but because the audience can relate.
Most of us let the world see the person we think they want to look at and not the person we are behind our invisible masks. The famous writer Oscar Wilde penned one of my favorite quotes:
“Be yourself; everybody else is already taken.”
While there are indeed times and reasons to confirm without question, I think that many live in a state of fear of showing people who they are; thus, not recognizing that being their best authentic self will yield the happiest, most fulfilling life possible.
Sure, going along with the crowd, not rocking the boat and staying in-step with the person in front of you may cause less attention, but where does that ultimately leave you?
Below are some proven techniques to help you shed that pesky mask:
Share with your family and friends: While the world may seem full of cold people ready to judge you in a heartbeat, you’re likely to also have an inner circle who know you better and are more accepting and welcoming of your thoughts, feelings, and opinions. Your family (whether there is a bloodline or not) is probably the most accessible group to declare your individuality with and almost guarantee acceptance.
Create art: It doesn’t matter if you think you’re not good at painting, sculpting, drawing or whatever medium inspires you, it just matters that you do it. We can learn a lot about ourselves when we tap into the parts of our brain where creativity lives. You may learn a little more about that person hiding behind the mask.
Keep a journal: Even if you are unwilling to share your thoughts with the world, journaling is an excellent exercise to express yourself. Keeping your thoughts bottled up inside of you isn’t healthy. You never know–if you can start expressing yourself with words on a page, maybe you’ll develop into someone who can do it with their own voice.
Take long walks: It may seem counterintuitive to showing the world who you are, but spending time on your own in a physical activity that still allows you to sort through your thoughts can pay dividends. Much of the time, we hide behind our masks because we’re not clear enough with our ideas to share them. Taking time away on a simple walk, especially through nature, will help you organize what’s in your head, giving you more confidence to share.
Challenge yourself: None of this is going to matter if you can’t get up the courage to try taking off the mask and letting the world see what’s there. Yes, it can be daunting, but when you learn that it’s not going to hurt, it becomes more comfortable with time.
When someone or something tries to take you down a notch, remind yourself it’s one person, and they have the right to their opinion and, even if they’re louder than you, you’re still well within your rights to have your voice.
If you’re going to make your mark on this world, you have to be willing to be yourself!
If you are looking for ways to live a more authentic and real life personally and professionally, contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation at http://maricarmenpizarro.com/contact-mari-carmen/
