MASKS & TIME IS IN A HURRY

WHO AM I?

It’s 5:50 a.m. My alarm is ringing. Oh dear, if you asked me, I’d say it’s only been 2–3 hours since I went to bed. The masks I left beside my bed before sleeping are still there. Let’s see… which mask was I wearing at 5:50?

Found it! The “mother” mask. I need to prepare the kids’ breakfast and lunchboxes… I’ve only got 10 minutes.

At 6:00 I have to put on my “working” mask. I need to get ready, oh no, I mustn’t be late… This mask is one of the most dangerous, and one of the heaviest to carry.

MASK CHANGE: BUSINESSWOMAN

Like every morning, I put on my sparkling, glamorous “businesswoman” mask and head to work. Having to carry this mask most of the day is spiritually exhausting… And trying to find common ground with people around me who have several masks of their own is a whole different challenge.

Sometimes I just stop and watch; while a single mask already weighs heavily on my soul, how do they manage this whole display so skillfully?

How can the same person who criticizes the company’s management over morning coffee, shower them with praise in a meeting? Or harshly judge a coworker behind their back, then burst into laughter with that same person a few hours later?

You’re dangerous… I hope the poor character you display through those masks doesn’t rub off on your children. Because the world needs to become a cleaner place. If you put on your “parent” mask for a moment, you might understand me better.

MASK CHANGE: I AM A MOTHER AND A DAUGHTER

I’ve just received a reminder: today is the last day to pay for my daughter’s course. Oh no, how could I forget? How quickly time passes; it feels like I paid it only yesterday…

Hmm, there’s also a homework printout to prepare. I hope I don’t forget to put it in her bag. The teacher reminds us that they must memorize the multiplication table well. The multiplication table is important, yes; life is math anyway…

A sudden phone call. I need to pick up my mother’s medication before the pharmacy closes tonight. I mustn’t forget to book her doctor’s appointment either. And let me add tomato paste to the shopping list — we’ve run out.

MASK CHANGE: I AM A MANAGER

Oh dear, someone from the team is asking for leave. Their child is sick. I hope it’s nothing serious. Time to give instructions to the team members who will cover the shift. I should show a slightly firm and clear attitude.

Oh my God, the customer is calling! Now it’s time to be polite, patient, and understanding. I hope it’s nothing serious.

MASK CHANGE: GOING HOME

Here it is — the only moment I can truly be myself… The time in the shuttle when I set aside my working mask and can finally breathe. Those 20 minutes of freedom until I get home. I want to close my eyes and breathe deeply.

I walk in the door to big hugs… How beautifully my daughters smell. The moments when I am grateful to be a mother begin here. “How was your day?” “What did you do during recess?”…

Okay okay, let’s not “over-snuggle,” dinner has to be prepared. If I cooked the night before, I’m very lucky — the chef mask is already waiting. Golden rule: everyone must be at the table. The summary of the whole day is there. Decisions, plans, sharing worries, laughter… Evening tables are important.

But careful — masks must not get mixed up: asking each other about work is FORBIDDEN! 😊

Responsibility matters; everyone should put their plate in the dishwasher. And no one leaves the kitchen without saying “Thank you for the meal”…

Hmm, someone’s nose sounds a bit stuffy… Here, take some vitamin C, sweetheart.

It’d be good to bake a cake for tomorrow’s lunchbox. Out comes the chef mask again! Wait wait, the smell must have reached my neighbor. Where is my “neighbor” mask? I should check in on her too. She had a sick relative — I wonder how they are.

TAKE OFF YOUR MASK AND BE YOURSELF

Is it bedtime again already? Let me take off these layered masks. Remove my makeup, do my personal care.

Then I’ll look long and hard into the mirror. Wave once more at the time slipping away — without knowing how much of it I have left…

And ask that same classic question I search the answer to a little more each day:

So really, who am I?

TIME IS IN A HURRY

Age 15… A high-school teenager… So much to do, so many paths to walk. A life full to the brim is waiting for us… Dreams, beauty, happiness, a career… We walk arm in arm with time. Money? That will be earned later…

Age 25… University is over, work life begins… The rush is intense… Always hurrying to catch up with something… Money is being earned somehow. Dear manager, could you maybe slow down a little? Perfection is nice, yes — but do we really have to push this hard? But that time… that one thing… doesn’t wait for me at all. Slow down a little, Time — I can’t keep up with you.

Age 35… When did I even get married? The baby in my arms, those eyes that sweep me away… Those tiny hands… Wonderful, disarming. An incredible feeling. Hello motherhood, here I am.

Hold on — I have to go to work in the morning. When I come home there will be long hugs and kisses… Dinner must be prepared — dear husband, hear us… Don’t cry sweetheart, I’m washing my hands and running to you.

Look, Time — you’ve passed me again… I can’t even see you anymore, you’ve gone so far ahead… I’m calling out to you, but you block your ears…

Age 45… Let me see… yes, the only free evening in this week’s schedule is Monday. The rest are filled with courses. I think my back has been aching lately. The weariness of the years is about to settle in.

But I am not collapsing. I am like a matryoshka doll. Let me step out of this outer shell. Here comes the new me inside…

Yes, I’m ready to change. I must run so fast that I catch up with that time that outran me…

Now I keep a notebook. I list what I want to do — one by one. Whatever I want to do, I will do it. No, I’m not late…

Time, wait for me — I’m running, I will catch you.

I have things to tell you, staaay…