I think our society is made up of people who love to always hide behind their masks. We try so hard to conceal our imperfections and reach unrealistic standards in order to look "normal" in front of others. When we choose to take photos and post them online we always make sure we're happy in them, even if sometimes we're not, because we want others to perceive us as people who live with no problems at all.

 

     Although there's nothing wrong with being genuinely happy, it's the stigma around "sadness" that I think really scars us. We go through so much in life and we can't always live up to society's standards. Sometimes we really can't help but be sad and distressed. Sadness is just like any other emotion we feel, and because of this, we need to freely express it instead of hiding behind our masks. Before, it made me wonder why everyone was always happy except me, but back then I was just the only one who was yet to learn how to put on a mask and pretend to always be "happy."

 

    I can't deny that I was once someone who also loved to put on a mask. I'm sure most of us have lied about feeling "fine" even if we weren't. Right now I'm learning to let go of my mask and live sincerely, really living in the moment whether I'm happy or sad. I'll live not to create a fake persona online, rather to live with purpose. 

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"As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God." -1 Peter 4:2