“I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless, and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that.”
The identity that we’ve come to know for most people is nothing but an artificial version of how society has shaped us to behave. We’ve developed these masks overtime to find some type of acceptance among our peers and hide something we are too ashamed of to admit. Everyone is guilty to some extent of pretending to be someone they aren’t, whether that is the person who constantly proves their knowledge because they feel compared to those who are considered more intelligent, or someone who pretends to be sociable when they really struggle with depression.
The point is not to pinpoint our insecurities nor compare our problems to one another’s, but to understand that we never truly know what is going on in someone’s life. No matter how hard we try, judgment is in our nature and often based upon biased, first interpretations. But what does it say about ourselves when we are quick to judge those around us?
Along with these masks, emotional walls are built, making opening up seem nearly impossible. After a while, we start to lose sight of who we once were and what defined our happiness. With that being said, asking for help does not make you vulnerable. You are not the only one out there and there is no reason to fight that battle alone. Comparing our happiness to someone else’s will get you nowhere. In order to find happiness, one must find themselves first.
By increasing our self-awareness, we can avoid repeating the same judgmental mistakes we have made in the past and open up our hearts to new people. You shouldn’t be ashamed of who you truly are because your individuality is what makes you special. So be that person that isn’t afraid to talk to new people outside your friend group!
Remove the mask that you have been putting on every morning before you go to class, and learn to accept yourself for both your strengths and your flaws. Take that step outside your comfort zone and test your boundaries. You’ll be surprised by how many amazing people you will meet and how many similarities you share.
So even if you experiencing depression, etc. and can’t seem to find happiness for yourself, remind those around you that they are loved, and maybe you’ll slowly begin to love yourself. We’ve all been placed here for a purpose, whether we realize it now or not. Don’t let these masks define us. Let our actions speak for themselves.
