"UNMASK: Your Weekly Unssignment for Authentic Living"

Posted: January 28, 2025

We all have them – those carefully crafted masks we've collected over the years. The "I've got it all together" mask for work, the "nothing bothers me" mask for family gatherings, the "always happy" mask for social media. These masks have become so comfortable that sometimes we forget what lies beneath them. Welcome to this week's unssignment, where we're diving deep into the art of UNMASK.

The Truth About Our Masks

Let me share something personal with you. I spent years being the ultimate mask collector. I had one for every occasion, perfectly polished and always ready. These masks weren't just accessories – they were my armor. They protected me from vulnerability, judgment, and the messiness of being human.

But here's the untherapist truth about masks: they're exhausting to wear. While they keep us safe, they also keep us small. When we're constantly performing, we're not just hiding from others – we're hiding from ourselves.

Why We Wear Masks

Before we talk about unmasking, let's acknowledge something important: your masks aren't villains. They're more like old friends who showed up during tough times and helped you survive. Maybe you developed the "perfect student" mask because anything less felt unacceptable. Perhaps the "always strong" mask protected you when showing vulnerability felt dangerous.

These masks served a purpose. They were your survival tools, your protection, your way of navigating a world that sometimes felt too harsh for your authentic self.

The Art of Unmasking

Here's where things get interesting – unmasking isn't about dramatically ripping off all your protective layers at once. That would be like jumping into freezing water without acclimating first (trust me, I've tried both – neither ends well).

Instead, think of unmasking as a gentle exploration. It's about creating small, safe spaces where you can let your authentic self peek through. It's about choosing when the masks serve you and when they're holding you back.

Your Weekly Unssignment

Ready to experiment with unmasking? Here's your unssignment for the week:

1. The Mask Inventory

Take 10 quiet minutes to identify your go-to masks. What personas do you put on for different situations? Write them down without judgment. Remember, we're not trying to eliminate them – we're just getting to know them better.

2. Safe Space Practice

Choose one trusted person or safe situation where you can let one mask slip a little. Maybe it's telling a friend "Actually, I'm not okay" when they ask how you are. Or perhaps it's admitting in a team meeting that you're not sure about something.

3. Mirror Moment

Spend 2 minutes each morning looking in the mirror at your maskless face. Just be with yourself. Notice how it feels to be seen by you. No judgment, no fixing – just presence.

The Mini-Workbook: Your Unmasking Journey

To support your exploration, I've created some additional exercises in true untherapist fashion:

Self-Discovery Questions

What situations trigger your strongest urge to mask up?
Which mask feels the heaviest to wear?
What would you say or do differently if no one was watching?
When was the last time you felt completely yourself?

The Mask Collection Exercise

Draw or describe your different masks
Give each one a name (get creative – "The People Pleaser," "The Know-It-All")
Write what each one protects you from
Note what each one costs you

The Permission Slip Practice

Write yourself permission slips for being imperfect. Post them where you'll see them daily. Some examples:

"I give myself permission to say 'I don't know'"
"I have permission to be a work in progress"
"I'm allowed to be both strong and vulnerable"

Gentle Reminders for Your Journey

As you explore unmasking this week, keep these untherapist-like truths in mind:

Your masks weren't wrong – they were survival tools
Unmasking doesn't mean becoming an open book
When you show up authentically, you give others permission to do the same
You can always put a mask back on if you need to
Small steps create lasting change
Your authentic self is worth knowing
Discomfort is part of growth

Celebrating Your Unmasking Moments

End each day by noting one moment where you chose authenticity over masking. No moment is too small to celebrate. Maybe you:

Admitted you needed help
Shared a genuine feeling
Let someone see your imperfect side
Said no when you usually say yes
Showed excitement without toning it down

Moving Forward

Remember, beautiful souls, this journey isn't about becoming maskless – it's about having the freedom to choose when the masks serve you and when they're holding you back. Your homework isn't to unmask completely; it's to experiment with letting your light shine through just a little more.

Sometimes the bravest thing isn't removing all our masks – it's simply acknowledging they exist and choosing, moment by moment, whether they still serve us.

Until next week, stay gloriously imperfect.

💌 Want to dive deeper? Download the full "Unmasking Journey" workbook for more exercises and reflections.

🎥 Watch the full unssignment video on YouTube

✨ Share your unmasking journey with our community using #untherapistlike

Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Let's unmask together, one authentic moment at a time.