Chinweotito Obisike
A mask does not always mean a piece of cloth covering the face. More often, it is invisible, subtle, and deeply personal. A mask can present itself in different ways.
Sometimes, masks appear in the form of filters used before striking a pose, angles chosen before a photo shoot, or edits applied before posting photos. Not for creativity, but to conceal parts of oneself that one is not confident about or feels ashamed of. In that case, the filter stops being an enhancement and becomes a disguise.
Another form of mask is withdrawal or unavailability. One may take on the label of an introvert, not because it is a true reflection of personality, but as a shield against the fear of insignificance, the belief that one is not good enough, that one’s opinion does not count, or that one’s presence does not add value. In doing so, one’s voice remains unheard, talents hidden, wisdom unshared, and potential unrealised.
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Silence itself is often a mask. It may present itself as stage fright, speech impediment, anxiety, or fear of judgment. While these experiences are real, they are not enough reason to erase a voice. Every voice needs to be heard. Silence, when born out of self-doubt, becomes a mask.
Physical appearance and how one presents oneself shape how masks are worn. Some people control how they are seen or perceived in the media, showing only sides not affected by scars, imperfections, or disabilities. Over time, these conditions begin to dictate who they are.
Even fashion, clothes, makeup, and accessories, though valuable forms of expression, can become masks when used to cover insecurities rather than celebrate identity. There is nothing wrong with looking good or expressing style; the question is not whether one looks good, but whether one feels sufficient without adornment.
Remember, one’s scars, visible or invisible, tell a story, a story of survival, evidence of endurance, and a sign of strength. They are not things to hide; they are marks to be admired. Not everyone could walk through the same pain, carry the same burden, live with the same imperfections, and still stand upright.
Sometimes, the bravest thing one can do is simply show up as they are, unmasked.
So take courage, look again, and wear no mask.
