You Don't Have to Wear the Mask

The phone buzzes on the nightstand, and your stomach drops before you even see the name. In that split second, you are already calculating the cost of answering — how much of your soul you will have to spend to sound 'okay' for the next three minutes.

You pull on the mask because the world expects a performance, not a person. But the light sees the exhaustion behind the eyes you haven't even opened yet.

It knows you are tired of pretending the weight isn't there. You do not have to manufacture strength to be held.

The One who calls you knows the real voice beneath the act. When you answer, you don't need to be perfect; you just need to be present.

The mask is heavy, but you are not required to wear it for the One who already knows your name.