My high school drama teacher, who was known for her eccentricity, used to talk about “removing your mask.” The mask we wear that defines how we want to be perceived by others. She taught that in order to be a good actor you have to remove that mask and show your true vulnerable self. You have to stop caring about what others think to become someone else. At the time, I thought she was batty, but now I understand.

We do wear a mask. This mask is created piece by piece in childhood. We are told to be polite, to use our manners, to smile, to be nice, to be on our best behavior in public. We are punished for being rude or speaking our uncensored minds. We listen to our parents greet other adults and talk about the weather, favorite sports teams, favorite movies, or other surface-level topics. We know the appropriate response to “How are you?” We are told that raising your voice is wrong and that talking about differing opinions is dangerous territory, especially if you are a girl.

Our masks are strong and sometimes impenetrable. Some people don't know where their mask ends and their true self begins. For others, it is only removed at home with family.

This is something I have always struggled with. I smile to protect my real feelings and thoughts. I am a “good girl.” I don’t curse in public. I always say thank you and I do not make waves. I tip-toe around strangers for fear of disturbing their feelings. I am the first one to apologize even if it isn't really my fault.

Inside, I am just as flawed, screwed up and imperfect as everyone else. I make mistakes. When I take my mask off at home or with my family I sometimes find myself taking out my frustrations on the people I love the most.

This is something I am working on… removing my mask and finding a better balance. Perhaps this is why I write. To reveal the real me. Yet, even in my writing I am sometimes guarded. I carefully select what to write about. I convince myself that I do this to protect my loved ones and their privacy, yet really I think it's the mask I am protecting.

My question is, what would happen if we raised our children in a world without masks? What would happen if we destroyed our own masks to become our true selves? Would we create a society of unhinged people or would acting on our emotions as we feel them actually improve the way we relate to each other and reduce the burden and weight of hiding?

Perhaps, we should allow ourselves to greet someone and say, “I'm not okay. I am really angry with my husband after our argument last night.” Or “I am really struggling with my weight and feel sad today.” Or “I am having trouble relating to my kids right now. I feel like I am a bad mother and I'm getting it all wrong.”

Would society as we know it suffer for our honesty? I think we would be surprised to find out how alike we all are in our imperfections and in our insecurities. I think we would realize how much more people respond if they are allowed inside to meet your true self. I think we can teach our children that it’s okay to live an authentic life without the need for masks. But, first we have to remove ours the way it was built—piece by piece.

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About the Author

Nicole Dash

Nicole Dash is a writer, blogger, and business owner who lives outside Washington DC with her husband and four children. Nicole writes about life, family and finding herself amid the chaos on her heartfelt blog. She is also a Huffington Post Blog Contributor and is working on her dream to publish a book.