So about that mask. I had a mask on for the majority of my life. My mission?? To make sure no one found out how royally screwed up I am. I became a master at hiding and pretending I was happy, and good. Here's how I took that mask off after decades. I started out by one time telling T about my mask, that I had one. Then sloooooooooowly I would reveal one small fact about me that was true and real. In the beginning it was things like, "I really don't like honey nut cheerios." Then eventually after a few years in T, I started to say, "I'm doing awful today" instead of the usual "fine" when asked. Then that progressed to, finally, "When I was little this happened." and "I really want to do away with myself." when su*cidal.

I have been pretty much mask free with the majority of people in my life that now I only use it when it actually helps me. Well, at least most of the time. Big, big....HUGE progress. And still a long way to go. Wishing you the best and sending safe