Thanks for sharing your story. Depression has many different ways of presenting itself. Thanks for highlighting this that the experience and journey is different for all of us.
I’ve learnt something from your story that I wasn’t aware of. We often feel that we just have to just keep on going, no matter how we’re feeling deep inside.
Not the author, but I 100% agree that you can’t truly connect while masking. However, it’s hard to know what you’re missing if you’ve spent your entire life masking. Also, there are so many other things that prevent true connection (lack of authenticity or empathy in others, etc)
I think that’s also a big part of why I decided to share my story. We often hear about depression as a temporary thing, triggered by a shitty life event. But long term mental illness can be much harder to recognise, either internally or externally. You’re so used to it that you don’t realise it’s not normal.
Thinking about it now, I think the connection question is a nuanced one. I’d feel like I was connecting to people - I’ve always been good at listening/supporting/understanding others - but it was often a one way street.
Courtney, in your listening and supporting others, did you find yourself taking on the emotions of others too?
Did you find you were tired a lot of the time, I feel masking would be very fatiguing. It's much harder to suppress than it is to express but we opt for suppression due to a lack of safety to express.
I think it is. if it's one sided it's not authentic and one person is always giving while they other is taking, the giver is the one who ends up being burnt out.
Thank you for being courageous and sharing your story. This means alot to me, and (probably) to a lot of others out there. We all wear masks, and sometimes, we don’t even know it.
Thank you Courtney
Thanks for sharing your story. Depression has many different ways of presenting itself. Thanks for highlighting this that the experience and journey is different for all of us.
I’ve learnt something from your story that I wasn’t aware of. We often feel that we just have to just keep on going, no matter how we’re feeling deep inside.
Loved reading this, what a great read and gives people plenty to think about.
I hope you’re proud of this contribution - very thought provoking
Great read! Thanks so much for sharing Courtney 💖
Amazing read! Would love to know if the author thinks wearing a mask prevents the wearer from truely connecting with those around them?
Not the author, but I 100% agree that you can’t truly connect while masking. However, it’s hard to know what you’re missing if you’ve spent your entire life masking. Also, there are so many other things that prevent true connection (lack of authenticity or empathy in others, etc)
Lack of authenticity, empathy and compassion is a huge issue within our culture. I hope it changes one story at a time.
Couldn’t have said it better myself :)
I think that’s also a big part of why I decided to share my story. We often hear about depression as a temporary thing, triggered by a shitty life event. But long term mental illness can be much harder to recognise, either internally or externally. You’re so used to it that you don’t realise it’s not normal.
Thinking about it now, I think the connection question is a nuanced one. I’d feel like I was connecting to people - I’ve always been good at listening/supporting/understanding others - but it was often a one way street.
Courtney, in your listening and supporting others, did you find yourself taking on the emotions of others too?
Did you find you were tired a lot of the time, I feel masking would be very fatiguing. It's much harder to suppress than it is to express but we opt for suppression due to a lack of safety to express.
I would say yes, but it’s something I’m getting better at not doing! The ‘put on your own oxygen mask before helping others’ analogy is apt.
So is real connection a two way street?
I think it is. if it's one sided it's not authentic and one person is always giving while they other is taking, the giver is the one who ends up being burnt out.
Agreed. Both parties gotta be putting time and energy into the relationship
Fantastic read Courtney, and lovely to meet you this morning 💛
Thank you for being courageous and sharing your story. This means alot to me, and (probably) to a lot of others out there. We all wear masks, and sometimes, we don’t even know it.
Well said Courtney. Thank you for your bravery in being willing to learn about yourself and even more bravery in sharing it with others.