Masks: What We Hide and Reveal
Halloween gives us the permission to wear masks. Sometimes elaborate, sometimes silly, and at times, downright terrifying. But masks aren’t only for October 31st. We wear them every day, often without realizing it. These masks may not have plastic smiles or painted fangs, but they shape how we present ourselves to the world and, sometimes, how we protect the most tender parts of who we are.
The Role of Masks in Human History
Masks have been used across cultures for thousands of years: in rituals, theater, warfare, and celebrations. Anthropologists note that masks allow wearers to take on new identities, communicate with spirits, or embody archetypes larger than themselves (Napier, 1986). During Halloween, masks create a playful distance between the wearer and the world, allowing us the freedom to be someone else for a night.
Psychological Masks: The Ones We Don’t See
In everyday life, we use “psychological masks” for similar reasons. Sometimes we hide parts of ourselves to protect against rejection, judgment, or harm. At other times, masks help us function in roles - such as parent, therapist, teacher, or friend - when our internal world doesn’t match what we need to project. Social psychologist Erving Goffman famously described this as “front stage” and “back stage” behavior: the public performance versus the private self (Goffman, 1959).
These masks aren’t inherently bad. They can be protective, adaptive, and even empowering. However, problems arise when the mask becomes fused with our identity, when we forget how to take it off.
Why We Hide
We wear masks for many reasons: fear of vulnerability, cultural expectations, trauma, or even a simple habit. People who grew up in unsafe environments often learn early that hiding their true thoughts and emotions is a matter of survival. Others mask to conform to social norms, like neurodivergent individuals who camouflage traits to avoid stigma, a process that can be emotionally exhausting (Hull et al., 2017).
When Masks Help
Masks can be tools. A confident “mask” before a big presentation can help you tap into your best self. A calm mask can steady a loved one in crisis. In these moments, the mask serves as a bridge between who you are and what the situation calls for.
When Masks Hurt
But when masks become constant armor, they can keep us disconnected from ourselves and others. Over time, the weight of maintaining a false self can lead to burnout, loneliness, and a sense of not knowing who you really are. Therapy often involves gently peeling back these layers, helping people feel safe enough to reveal their true selves again.
Taking the Mask Off
Halloween eventually ends. The costumes are returned to their bins, and the masks are removed. Our psychological masks deserve similar intentional moments of removal, spaceses where we can breathe, rest. This might happen with a trusted friend, a therapist, or in a quiet moment alone. It’s not about rejecting every mask, but choosing when and how to wear them consciously.
Conclusion
Masks, like fear, are part of being human. They can protect, empower, or isolate. This Halloween season, take note of the masks you wear, not with judgment, but with curiosity. Ask yourself: which masks are serving you, and which are keeping you from being truly seen?
If you are ready to set your mask aside, reach out to a therapist or a trusted friend. At Artist Eye Counseling, we use creative counseling to help you through the process of self-discovery. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
Sources
Goffman, E. (1959). The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Anchor Books.
Hull, L., Petrides, K. V., & Mandy, W. (2017). The female autism phenotype and camouflaging: A narrative review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 4(4), 306–317.
Napier, A. D. (1986). Masks, Transformation, and Paradox. University of California Press.