Everyday life, with all its challenges and pressures, imposes a fast and often superficial pace on us.
We seek to survive and, in this rush, we often lose touch with ourselves, with what we feel or with what is happening around us. Feelings, thoughts and emotions, moments that are in their essence deeply human, truly become a “background sound”, that we no longer hear or ignore. It is as if we live in a state of semi-consciousness, caught in a continuous flow of activities and thoughts, which does not let us stop and reflect, on what we are experiencing and who we are. It is a common phenomenon, but also very sad, losing the opportunity to experience life in its depth – with all its colors and shades, good or bad.
It is a challenge, indeed, to allow yourself to live and truly express those deep states, even when they are painful or disturbing.
In a world that values appearances, external success, and the “perfect” we want to reflect in the eyes of those around us, we end up wearing masks, hiding vulnerabilities, and hiding from ourselves. This flight from our authentic essence often becomes a self-punishment, because we no longer live in the truth, but in what we feel we “should” be.
We begin to wear a mask, that defense mechanism, a form of protection against judgment, rejection, or vulnerability. We are taught from a young age to suppress all these feelings, to hide them, to “master” them, for fear of them overwhelming us or not being understood.
We are taught to conform to society’s expectations, to be “perfect,” not to show our weaknesses, or to not externalize our emotions too much. But this mask, although it may temporarily hide pain, anxiety or insecurity, only deepens the inner emptiness. This excessive control leads to a life not fully lived. Without the courage to feel and express, we would remain only shadows of what we could be.
The most intense experiences – both those of joy and those of pain – are the ones that truly give meaning to our existence. They are like flames that, although they sometimes burn, light the way and help us understand more deeply what it means to be alive. They help us to truly know ourselves and not to run away from ourselves, but to accept ourselves.
Suffering, paradoxically, is a form of deep connection with ourselves and with others. Expressing it means allowing ourselves to be authentic, having the courage to externalize those states, those deep and restless feelings that we usually choose to hide. Many of them are accompanied by vulnerability, and vulnerability is often seen as weakness. It is precisely in this vulnerability that true strength lies. When we manage to give voice to an inner feeling – even through simple but sincere words – we restore meaning to that part of us that would otherwise remain unheard and misunderstood.
If we think of life as a sea of nuances and shadows, then the courage to express our vulnerabilities and contradictions should not be a rare choice, but a necessity in order to truly live.
What would it be like to transform every internal state into a shared experience? Imagine if we began sharing our fears as tales of bravery.? What if we transformed sadness into words instead of silence? Perhaps in this manner, we would come to understand that life encompasses more than mere survival; it’s about embracing authenticity, with all its intricacies and splendor. Perhaps, by taking this step, we might start to grasp the true essence of being alive.
Consider the emotions you experience; how might they manifest if you were to express them openly?
Have you ever longed for the bravery to express your emotions? yet restrained yourself due to fear of others’ responses? Or, have you succeeded in conveying your thoughts, thereby experiencing liberation through expression?
I am waiting for your thoughts.