Michael Fox Coaching Free Community

🔍 What Is “The Mask”?

The mask is the version of you that was shaped to survive.

It's the role you learned to play to get love, safety, or acceptance.

Here’s what that can look like:

🚨 Common Masks We Wear (with Examples)

The “I’m Fine” Mask

• Smiling when you're dying inside

• Saying “I’m good” when you’re exhausted, anxious, or grieving The People Pleaser Mask

• Saying “yes” to avoid conflict

• Making everyone else comfortable while you suffer silently

• Going along with things you don’t agree with The High Achiever Mask

• Overworking to prove your worth

• Defining yourself by productivity

• Feeling like rest = failure The “Always Positive” Mask

• Quoting affirmations when your world is falling apart

• Using faith to avoid real feelings (“God’s got it!” while you’re secretly doubting everything) The Tough Guy / Tough Girl Mask

• Never crying

• Never asking for help

• Pretending you don’t care when you care deeply The Clown Mask

• Joking to deflect pain

• Making light of everything so no one knows you're hurting

• Being the “fun one” so you’re not a burden The Social Chameleon Mask

• Being a different version of yourself in every room

• Code-switching your opinions to fit in

• Never feeling like you truly belong anywhere The Strong Christian Mask

• Feeling like you can’t admit doubts, struggles, or depression because “you should have more faith”

• Hiding behind scripture instead of living it honestly

• Leading worship while secretly crying in your car