Discussion What Is Your Mask?

[PhilosopherInAV0id]

For me, I refer to my mask in my nickname- the V0id. The zero instead of an o is what holds its special significance for me. It functions as my separate realm from the rest of the world. I don't have to do anything, just let myself run on autopilot, while I can just drift away endlessly in peace.

There is no fixed, finite shape for the V0id, because it fluctuates at will. However, one trait that defines it, no matter what form it takes, is silence. There is never a single sound. I always get stressed whenever there is too much noise around me, which only helps further break my remaining sanity.

What are your masks? How do you refer to them? What form do they take? How do they help you cope with life (and death)? Just some questions from a wandering Sakashima (if you know, you know).

 

[MidwinterSparkle]

I've usually had 2 masks, a mask I like to call the fools mask and another mask I like to call the liar mask

The fools mask is really simple, it's sociable, it gives the impression that I'm the best in the world, and believes it, it tells jokes and does it's best to makes the others around it smile

The liar mask goes hand in hand with the fools mask.

As the name implies, the liar mask ensures that the fools mask keeps lying about how it feels and what's going on underneath, for my own protection.

Both of these masks are the living definition on being different on the surface but as you dig deep down they're extremely similar

 

[Hollowman]

No masks at all. My misery's on full display and Idgaf.

 

[let.me.let.go87]

I lie all the time. I pretend to be okay. My therapist has absolutely no idea who I really am. My current mask is being clean despite how badly I want to to SH. I'm sick of pretending. I just wanna let loose and let it all out but I know I'd be put inpatient in a heartbeat if I did

 

[terra.nuvo]

My current mask is basically just to not talk at all. I think i've used this mask for so long that it has kind of become my personality. Just a blank slate really.

 

[Draconian Alone]

My mask is just another head in the herd of sheeple. I limply go along with whatever my dumbass family does and hope they don't care enough to prove too deeply.

 

[ultrasharpy123456]

In school, I was dealing with immense abuse and bullying, at home and at school. I think I also had BPD. So I put on a mask. I was a narcissist (but I never hurt anyone) so I kept on that mask indefinitely until I left school. And then later I got therapy. I had to vent outside when nobody was looking to let it out. It was the only way. Parts of my mask slipped because.... god I wish I could tell you. But it wasn't to hurt anyone, there was another part that slipped...

There came a point where I had to skip class just to protect people from myself. I didn't want to hurt anyone. I did this regularly. I was in constant panic.

Well anyway I put on the mask to just be who my family wanted me to be. Get the job, go to school. I just put on the mask. I used it to cope. In fact I'm wearing it partially right now because again there's certain things about me I can't tell you.

 

[Pluto]

 

[fleetingnight]

There's a lot of different ones. I act quiet a lot of the time, but in some situations, I put up a front of a funny. friendly extrovert, whatever I think will annoy people the least. Around close friends, I act like someone similar to myself, but better (more stable, less depressed, less doomer, less opinionated)
I rarely use the same name and username on different sites. I usually use characters I like as aliases, or other references to things I like (this name/pfp/banner are all based on my faorite song)
None of them feel much less real than my "real" name. The way I act using that one is way faker than how I act in a lotta places online
Sorry for the ramble, aand I hope it makes sense, I'm tired and tispy

 

[Gl1tch3d G1rl]

I have two that I can think of:

Peaceful:
I appear quiet and "peaceful" when in reality I'm going through hell inside me. This one kinda happened by itself through anxiety and trauma though.

Happy:
Basicly I put on a happy face to escape my true emotions, I tend to make lot's of jokes when using this mask too.

 

[PhilosopherInAV0id]

My mask is just another head in the herd of sheeple.

Sheeple? I don't know if this was intentional or not, but I can already sense this becoming hilariously funny. Now, I pose the question to everyone-what is the definition of humanity, now that we are Sheeple? And what does this do to our existential crisis of existing among society? Is it fixed by Sheeple, or even worse? Are we just Sheeple pawns on a board game? So many fun things. This has officially made my day. (Which then brings to mind Meeple pawns in construction hats trying to figure out the insanely complicated blueprint of one of my days. I can't stop this)

 

[derpyderpins]

Excellent topic.

For much of my life (I'd guess ages 13-25ish) the mask was arrogance and unending dark humor. Everything was how I'm so great and life is shit and the world is shit and haha I wanna be dead and mean humor directed at others with an implication that 'I'm just kidding so it's fine.' Don't get me wrong, I still have sarcasm and a good bit of that is part of my personality but I've stopped wearing it as a mask.

So what is my current mask? . . . I think it would be foolish to declare I don't have one. Obviously out at work I wear the mask that I'm happy to be there and not having mental problems, but that's most people.

I guess one way to think of it is that I wear a mask when I am patient with others but harsh on myself. Been making some progress there, though. It might be correct to say I've softened my heart and now the mask is what I show myself. Trippy.

Having a hard time coming up with a better answer. . . I post on here a lot these days so if someone has a suggestion feel free to roast me.

Sheeple? I don't know if this was intentional or not, but I can already sense this becoming hilariously funny. Now, I pose the question to everyone-what is the definition of humanity, now that we are Sheeple? And what does this do to our existential crisis of existing among society? Is it fixed by Sheeple, or even worse? Are we just Sheeple pawns on a board game? So many fun things. This has officially made my day. (Which then brings to mind Meeple pawns in construction hats trying to figure out the insanely complicated blueprint of one of my days. I can't stop this)

lol you new here? Don't you know Normies and NPCs and braindead sheeple are anyone who is trying to make life work rather than declaring everything to be garbage? They interact with other people and enter into agreements not even realizing that literally any obligation at all is slavery. They probably have low IQs, but when they don't we just kinda ignore that.

Ah shit there's the arrogant sarcastic mask coming up again. Let me put that back in storage.

 

[PhilosopherInAV0id]

Excellent topic.

For much of my life (I'd guess ages 13-25ish) the mask was arrogance and unending dark humor. Everything was how I'm so great and life is shit and the world is shit and haha I wanna be dead and mean humor directed at others with an implication that 'I'm just kidding so it's fine.' Don't get me wrong, I still have sarcasm and a good bit of that is part of my personality but I've stopped wearing it as a mask.

So what is my current mask? . . . I think it would be foolish to declare I don't have one. Obviously out at work I wear the mask that I'm happy to be there and not having mental problems, but that's most people.

I guess one way to think of it is that I wear a mask when I am patient with others but harsh on myself. Been making some progress there, though. It might be correct to say I've softened my heart and now the mask is what I show myself. Trippy.

Having a hard time coming up with a better answer. . . I post on here a lot these days so if someone has a suggestion feel free to roast me.

I get that. For people like the ones on this forum, we wear masks so often that we find ourselves becoming the mask before long. In one way, I could phrase my question as 'How have your masks shaped you to where you are today?' Very profound thoughts.

 

[droppedmysyrup]

For me, I refer to my mask in my nickname- the V0id. The zero instead of an o is what holds its special significance for me. It functions as my separate realm from the rest of the world. I don't have to do anything, just let myself run on autopilot, while I can just drift away endlessly in peace.

There is no fixed, finite shape for the V0id, because it fluctuates at will. However, one trait that defines it, no matter what form it takes, is silence. There is never a single sound. I always get stressed whenever there is too much noise around me, which only helps further break my remaining sanity.

What are your masks? How do you refer to them? What form do they take? How do they help you cope with life (and death)? Just some questions from a wandering Sakashima (if you know, you know).

I act as if I'm normal, it's just me masking my inability to function around people because the way I feel is to all encompassing and I can't thinks about anything but it I definitely don't come across normal but at least to me that's what I'm trying to be.

 

[Lookingtoflyfree]

The mask for capitalism, doctors and friends - and then there's just me. I now know the mask that work and doctors expect is the one my partners and friends expect - shiny, happy, bubbly, nothing wrong! I will never be vulnerable again.

About to have a phone call with a doctor to get a refill on ADHD meds - it's another chance to wear a mask and play a game, and I know I'll be winning because of the knowledge on this forum. Play the game long enough to get to the ending, and not a single one of them will know me or remember me.

 

[Username1359751]

Sheeple? I don't know if this was intentional or not, but I can already sense this becoming hilariously funny. Now, I pose the question to everyone-what is the definition of humanity, now that we are Sheeple? And what does this do to our existential crisis of existing among society? Is it fixed by Sheeple, or even worse? Are we just Sheeple pawns on a board game? So many fun things. This has officially made my day. (Which then brings to mind Meeple pawns in construction hats trying to figure out the insanely complicated blueprint of one of my days. I can't stop this)

"Here's the Church and here's the steeple, when you open it up you see all the Sheeple!..."

 

[sugarb]

My mask is a silly goose

 

[Username1359751]

Excellent topic.

For much of my life (I'd guess ages 13-25ish) the mask was arrogance and unending dark humor. Everything was how I'm so great and life is shit and the world is shit and haha I wanna be dead and mean humor directed at others with an implication that 'I'm just kidding so it's fine.' Don't get me wrong, I still have sarcasm and a good bit of that is part of my personality but I've stopped wearing it as a mask.

So what is my current mask? . . . I think it would be foolish to declare I don't have one. Obviously out at work I wear the mask that I'm happy to be there and not having mental problems, but that's most people.

I guess one way to think of it is that I wear a mask when I am patient with others but harsh on myself. Been making some progress there, though. It might be correct to say I've softened my heart and now the mask is what I show myself. Trippy.

Having a hard time coming up with a better answer. . . I post on here a lot these days so if someone has a suggestion feel free to roast me.

lol you new here? Don't you know Normies and NPCs and braindead sheeple are anyone who is trying to make life work rather than declaring everything to be garbage? They interact with other people and enter into agreements not even realizing that literally any obligation at all is slavery. They probably have low IQs, but when they don't we just kinda ignore that.

Ah shit there's the arrogant sarcastic mask coming up again. Let me put that back in storage.

Omg... like, "Sheeple" really happened?

 

[derpyderpins]

Omg... like, "Sheeple" really happened?

Always makes me think of Robin Williams on law and order SVU bringing the sheep into court and telling the jury not to be sheep

 

[Username1359751]

Excellent topic.

For much of my life (I'd guess ages 13-25ish) the mask was arrogance and unending dark humor. Everything was how I'm so great and life is shit and the world is shit and haha I wanna be dead and mean humor directed at others with an implication that 'I'm just kidding so it's fine.' Don't get me wrong, I still have sarcasm and a good bit of that is part of my personality but I've stopped wearing it as a mask.

So what is my current mask? . . . I think it would be foolish to declare I don't have one. Obviously out at work I wear the mask that I'm happy to be there and not having mental problems, but that's most people.

I guess one way to think of it is that I wear a mask when I am patient with others but harsh on myself. Been making some progress there, though. It might be correct to say I've softened my heart and now the mask is what I show myself. Trippy.

Having a hard time coming up with a better answer. . . I post on here a lot these days so if someone has a suggestion feel free to roast me.

lol you new here? Don't you know Normies and NPCs and braindead sheeple are anyone who is trying to make life work rather than declaring everything to be garbage? They interact with other people and enter into agreements not even realizing that literally any obligation at all is slavery. They probably have low IQs, but when they don't we just kinda ignore that.

Ah shit there's the arrogant sarcastic mask coming up again. Let me put that back in storage.

Omg... like, "Sheeple" really happened?

Always makes me think of Robin Williams on law and order SVU bringing the sheep into court and telling the jury not to be sheep

No way.... You did not just fucking say that.... Dude. I fucking LOVE him in that... He made me cry... My mom is a dick though, especially for a Pollyanna! She mocks him and says, "PUSH. THE. BUTTON!!!" and giggles. Don't know why that's funny to her. Wow. Can't believe you know that. Do you even like SVU? I don't like any Law & Orders except svu lol. Why hasn't everyone seen that? You know that was a real guy who did that? He finally was caught (in part by a Cowboy Sheriff and a Bostonian Cop who could barely understand the cowboy) There was a cool doc on the killer on Netflix.

 

[derpyderpins]

Omg... like, "Sheeple" really happened?

No way.... You did not just fucking say that.... Dude. I fucking LOVE him in that... He made me cry... My mom is a dick though, especially for a Pollyanna! She mocks him and says, "PUSH. THE. BUTTON!!!" and giggles. Don't know why that's funny to her. Wow. Can't believe you know that. Do you even like SVU? I don't like any Law & Orders except svu lol. Why hasn't everyone seen that? You know that was a real guy who did that? He finally was caught (in part by a Cowboy Sheriff and a Bostonian Cop who could barely understand the cowboy) There was a cool doc on the killer on Netflix.

He's so good in that. We lost a treasure for sure. Haven't seen it in a long time but it stuck with me. I used to watch SVU all the time with my college girlfriend but law school ruined in lol, because I just get fixated on how wrong all the procedure is.

I remember relating to his character, although I know he's the bad guy. Maybe just because Williams was so damn charismatic.

 

[pthnrdnojvsc]

Just a few of many masks

Of course in person I have to say I'm doing good when asked how am I . Can't let people suspect that I might have committed the thought crime of wanting to kill myself or to think that life in general is bad .

Even here when I say life in general is bad some seem to act like I committed a thought crime

I have to act like something matters when i know nothing really does. What will matter in 150 years, 10, 000 years , a trillion years ?

How many times I watched the NPCs act out movie scenes .

 

[Fakefriendhate_Maxx]

My mask is lying about who I really am and what I feel, what my thoughts and problems are... Most of my friends don't know the person behind the mask. I even lied and said that I'm still studying, though I cancelled it years ago. I lie on where I live and how many friends I have (very less - I'm very isolated and alone actually). And every day that I maintain this construct of lies, I have to invent more and more lies. ... when you haven't made the leap from lying and get deeper and deeper into this vortex. There are two options for exit: telling them the whole truth about me and they'll realize I lied to them and abused their trust. Second option is SN
Someone out there with the same problems ? Anybody knows how to get rid of this ?
Didn't tell ANYBODY about my suicide plans either.... I think people won't help you. Nobody would really understand and support that. I guess most persons out there thinking you just want to get attention and avoid you.