The Mask Was Working…Until It Wasn’t. (+Narration🎙️)
By Coach Thilene Samuel
I wore the mask for years…
Not just at work, but in friendships, in relationships, in places where I thought I had to be "on" to be accepted.
The mask was polished. Capable. Smiling. It got me promotions. It made me friends. It even landed me a few dates.
But it wasn’t me.
And over time, it started to cost more than it gave.
Because here’s what no one tells you:
Trying to be someone that you’re not might work for a while.
But, it will exhaust you.
It will drain your energy.
And It will quiet your voice.
It will make you question whether the version of you that people love is even real.
And that’s what happened to me.
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I kept showing up smiling, checking the boxes, doing everything right, but inside, I felt invisible. I felt like I was fading behind a version of myself that was easier for everyone else, but harder and harder for me to maintain.
Eventually, I stopped asking, “What’s wrong with me?”
And I started asking, “What part of me have I been hiding?”And that’s when things started to shift.
You know, we often hear a lot of language these days about “bringing your whole self to work” or “living authentically.” But let’s be real: many workplaces and relationships don’t make space for that. They want the version of you that’s easiest for them to handle.
And I call BS on that.
Because yes, there’s a way to show up that’s both authentic and grounded. And that doesn’t involve oversharing or burning it all down, but instead, centers your worth, your truth, and your wellbeing.
So here’s what I’ve learned:
Being yourself is not about being loud. It’s about being clear.
You don’t need to prove your value, you need to know it.
You don’t have to settle for exhaustion just because it appears to be success.
BE YOURSELF!
These days, I’m more myself than I’ve ever been.
Not perfect. And not always confident.
But honest.
And that honesty has been a gift to me, as well as to the people I care about.
So, if you’re tired from performing; if you're questioning who you are or what you want. Please know; you’re not broken. You’re likely just burned out from being someone you’re not.
You deserve more than that.
And you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Coach Thilene - Helping you find out ‘What’s Next’ in your life.
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