In a world of photoshopped magazine articles, and constant ads promoting a happier life, it can be easy to fall into everyday appearances. We see Instagram celebrities with thousands of followers and wonder how one person can become so fascinating. The answer is right in front of us. We see the best of everyone, the highlights of their day and the pictures they took on purpose. We wish to have that perfect body, but don’t see the hard work and frustration that was put into it. We want that relationship that appears to be so easy and filled with love, but don’t see what goes on behind closed doors. We don’t look further after the photo has been taken, or the post has been made.

So why are we so captivated by lives other than our own? It’s a known fact that everyone has an issue of some sort, and it’s ignorant to assume someone doesn’t. We fail to look deeper into what perfection really looks like. Society tells you to be who you are, but it also screams conformity. Which is it? We promote this ideal by putting our best face on, even if that means not telling the truth. Even if that includes hiding weakness, pain, or hurt. What would happen if we all took off the mask?

Would it alarm us to know that our ideal relationships are a recipe for disaster? Or to find out that our happiest friend is the one carrying the most pain? We put on a façade until we go home with ourselves at the end of the night. If the weight of truth came down upon us, would we all run away to the bubble we created, or embrace our rawest form? Some are so quick to judge one’s life based on polite conversations or great lighting. So many of us struggle to dig deeper. We ask ourselves who is worth letting in when we can allow ourselves to open up and show who we truly are. We’re afraid to be judged, to be rejected, and to get hurt. Because that is what makes us vulnerable.

If we all unveiled what we keep hidden, it could create a more negative and self-conscious society. Or, it could just display what is already there. When our problems are brought to light, they’re more easily solved if not confronted. The fear of deception and disappointment would no longer cloud our judgment and if we could see what everyone was dealing with, it would add perspective and limit questioning. You can get the full story or at least more understanding of the troubles behind the scenes.

In a perfect world, lies would not exist. But, this goes beyond lies and addresses the idea that everyone should put on their best face, and that you can’t take off the mask until you’re at home alone. Away from people that may understand what you’re going through, and others could really help. We are supposed to promote honesty, but irony bleeds through when honest means ugly. They say honesty is the best policy, but no one truly promotes the entire truth. There is a certain kind of fear in knowing everything, but if the truth was more apparent it would no longer seem frightening.

So, put on your best face, the show must go on. At the end of the day, we all have a monster under our bed and skeleton in the closet. Maybe societal norms will change one day but until then, smile like you mean it.