Mask

Does anyone ever wear a mask? Does anyone ever smile when they don't want to? I do it all the time and then every night I stay awake thinking what's wrong with me? I have no one to really talk to, so it's a battle to see what's going to come next. I just want to know that I'm not the only one who wears a mask and lies awake every night and that I'm alone. Please if you have any suggestions to help with this please tell me.

[hypercat54]

Ah the famous mask! Everyone has to do it some extent (even 'normal' people) at work for example where we still have to do our jobs efficiently, but you haven't got to go to extremes ie pretending to be happy and carefree if you aren't feeling that way. I hated my last job and certainly didn't go round smiling constantly! I just did it and tried to stay calm and efficient to get it done. No one knew (or cared) that I was miserable and depressed.x

[Booklover0219]

Yes I put on a smile every day at work. Some days I can’t even force it though so I act super busy and keep to myself. It’s getting harder and harder to put on the fake smile.

[Hidden]

Every day. At work with my patients I have to be somewhat chipper and so I do. Maybe it's even good for me, fake it til you make it, right?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That's what I do

[NWGal]

You are absolutely not alone. We do it to get along in life and not alienate others. It's the depressed brain thing. I think it's okay - even people that don't have depression do it so I've accepted that it's just part of my life. Thanks for sharing this friend.

[Hidden in reply to NWGal]

I know that I am not alone in my depression. I'm literally alone. No one wants to talk to me

[NWGal in reply to Hidden]

But you have us my friend!

[Hidden in reply to NWGal]

Yeah, I guess I do.

[Gillyflower18]

Oh yes I’ve worn the mask since I was little. The mask of being “grownup” when hurting or afraid or confused. It is hard to even know who I am under that mask. I’m learning slowly through therapy but I’m very hard and I often regress or fall flat on my face. So I certainly understand where you are coming from.

[growinrace]

definitely not alone. I take it a day at a time, and at night I think of all the positive things that happened during the day and what triggers or what doesn't sit well and I accept it. I feel like when I pinpoint what doesn't help me feel ok, I look for ways to turn them around. Do you journal? Some days I love being on my own and doing things that make me feel great! As well as doing devotionals, there is one site called action for happiness, they post a monthly calendar with great things to do