Did you know that some people spend their entire lives pretending to be someone else?

There are always such people around us: they laugh loudly, speak humorously, are the soul of the party, and are the pistachios in the circle of friends. They are always willing to listen to other people's troubles, good at adjusting the atmosphere, and even when you are most sad, they are the first to stand up and comfort you.

But have you noticed that when the crowd disperses and they return to their own room, the enthusiasm and vitality seem to disappear in an instant. They no longer talk, no longer respond to messages, sometimes just stare at the ceiling in a daze, and sometimes they can't even figure out who they are.

These people are likely to be "playing" another version of themselves.

Since childhood, we have been taught to be "sensible", "obedient" and "gregarious", so many people have gradually learned to cater to the expectations of others and regard "being liked" as a standard for measuring their own value. They are used to hiding their true emotions, fearing conflicts, and avoiding rejection. They are perfect in the eyes of others, but in the dead of night, they begin to ask themselves over and over again: "Am I really happy living like this?"

They are used to living with masks, and over time, they can't even tell which one is the real me.

Have you ever had a similar moment? Feeling lonely in a group of people, feeling tired in front of familiar people, and losing yourself in all the "shoulds".

Perhaps, each of us is "acting" more or less. But the most terrible thing is that when we act for too long, we can't even find "ourselves".

Some people start to doubt when they are on the verge of collapse: Is that enthusiastic and cheerful look me, or is it just a way for me to try to survive?

Some people only understand after losing important people: I thought they liked me, but they actually just liked the way I acted.

And what about you?

Is the self you are playing now the way you are willing to continue living?

Or is it just a mask to meet certain expectations?

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🌀 Some questions have no standard answers.

🕯 Some truths can only be slowly explored by yourself.

Thank you for reading. If you have also lost yourself on the road of "being yourself", I hope this text can accompany you through a moment of silence. Don't rush to change, and don't be afraid of being seen.