Wouldn't that be a world—leaving all the masks at home? No work mask, no date mask, no family mask—you could just be the same wierdo you are when you're alone with your dog (or cat, I guess.)⁠
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That's crazy though—we have to act professional; we have to censor ourselves; we have to hide.⁠
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'Cause if we didn't...what? What's the fear? We'd get fired? We'd lose our spot at the family dinner table? The phone would stop ringing? We'd be alone?⁠
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Those are big fears. Maybe they're legitimate fears. Some intolerant environments do exist.⁠
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But what if they didn't?⁠
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What if you didn't have to "behave" for your boss because you're afraid of her. What if she didn't demand conformity because she's afraid too?⁠
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What if the pressure was off?⁠
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Would we cooperate more? Would we be more empathetic? Would we be open when we need help? Would we suffer less stress and anxiety? Would we take more risks? Would we be more creative? ⁠
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Would this whole life be a little less lonely?⁠
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Would we feel the need to impress? Would we buy a bunch of stuff we don't need just to look a certain way? Would we need to prove we're winners? Would we need to prove others are losers?⁠
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It'd be weird at first.⁠
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But give it a generation, and I think it might be nice.⁠
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Now: my advice isn't to go out and run naked through the world. As long as others are afraid, there's a basis for some of your fears. And unfortunately, not everyone in the world is following me yet.⁠
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But check in on your fears. Some are going to be irrational. There'll be plenty of times where you wear a mask out of habit—not necessity.⁠
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Cherish the places and people that don't scare you. Spend more time there. Find more of those places.⁠
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And as much as you can: lead others. Do you best not to scare them into donning their masks. Drop your own despite the fear and set an example.⁠
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Just do it; the world needs more of you.