That is a chance for discovery. I tried on identities for many years, I think in small ways I try on new ones still. But, my husband has helped me dig out of the mess that once was.. The one where I was just trying to find commonality with others. The one where I was suppressing true feelings for the sake of companionship.

Having a mask doesn’t mean you’re bad or that you won’t find true self, but sometimes means that you haven’t yet discovered who is underneath a lifetime of societal pressures, family pressures, or even just alternate thoughts of who you’re supposed to be.

Sometimes our masks are even necessary at certain points in time. I’ve experienced a lot of trauma in my life, and for many years I was not ready to confront the shambles that were left-I would have never been able to function. Instead, I needed to slowly peel it back as I was ready and address small bits at a time.

I guess the real question is how you will address the mask that your lover presents with…