People often put on a mask because the brain likes to keep the story simple. If you’re stressed, the mind can latch onto a quick, safe narrative like “I’m fine” and keep that on the surface while the deeper turmoil stays buried. It’s a kind of self‑protection, but it can also blind others to what’s really going on. I always try to look beyond the surface—check the body language, the timing, the little inconsistencies. That’s where the real motive shows up.