Here Lies the Mask That No Longer Serves
Bringing one’s full self into the workplace or performance space can come at a high cost. In some environments—and even entire countries—that cost may be life or death. In such contexts, authenticity isn’t always safe. It can be a luxury. A privilege.
Given that reality, someone born with a wider range of freedoms might consider how to use that position—to show up fully, and to stand in allyship with those who cannot.
There isn’t a clear answer to how much of oneself should be brought into work. But one thing is often true: the environments that suppress individuality and authenticity tend to be the same ones that drain energy, dim creativity, and leave people feeling stuck or unseen.
Imagine feeling a growing disconnect between who you are at work and who you are at home. Over time, this daily switch could create a kind of emotional fog. The sense of being split in two becoming destabilizing.
Eventually, a shift happens. You decide that the cost of hiding is too high and choose to start showing up differently—to find or create spaces where your full self is welcome.
Bringing a more aligned self to work could mean:
More meaningful, durable work relationships
A release from the constant dread of Sunday scaries
A deeper investment in the work itself
A sense of voice and presence that hadn’t been accessible before
Beneath the surface:
A clearer view of personal growth areas
A reevaluation of goals, with an emphasis on ethics and impact
More intentional financial planning
The unraveling of internalized beliefs that no longer fit
That said, two important truths can coexist.
First, this kind of shift isn’t accessible—or even advisable—for everyone. People face vastly different circumstances, responsibilities, and risks. For some, even small changes feel impossible. But maybe “bringing your full self” doesn’t need to start big. Maybe it looks like speaking up a little more in meetings. Choosing work that aligns more closely with personal values. Or starting a conversation with someone trusted about what feels off.
Second, “bringing your full self” doesn’t mean bringing your unfiltered self. No one is expected to speak to colleagues the way they speak to family. Boundaries matter. Professionalism has its place. Authenticity, in this context, doesn’t mean raw vulnerability—it means alignment.
Sometimes, a mask helps someone survive a season. But if it starts to get in the way of growth, creativity, or wholeness—it might be time to lay it down—not without fear, but with a sense of necessity.
And perhaps, with hope.
