Our society is unforgiving and judgmental. Daily there are stories of "so and so did this or that, they are so awful". The remarks and disdain showed for others is significant. Examples range from child rearing to elder care. (Everyone has an opinion of some one else's life.) Given that how we, as a social group, currently live it is not surprising that we also have developed a series of masks.
Why would we then want to change?Be more open and more vulnerable to being judged by others. I can't imagine anyone wants to leave themselves open to ridicule. It hurts and we react, close ourselves up, lock it all away behind a mask.
There are two sides to the coin. We imagine that we avoid ridicule by holding ourselves back. Have you ever seen ignoring a bully to ensure you will not become a target? No? Neither have I. Bullies will attack anyone, anytime, for any reason. In researching the nature of bullies I found that they lash out often for the same reason many avoid being genuine, fear of being vulnerable.
So, we are not protected by ignoring the issue. What does work? Nothing I've come across. When we lock ourselves away we also close off to the possibility of acceptance. The only option then is to be vulnerable, to risk, to take off the mask.
Take the risk. Be open to being vulnerable, in it you will find new levels of strength.
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