Man, that’s a real thinker’s question, but here’s how I see it—if the mask feels like a costume that’s just a fun outfit, great, but when it starts hiding the real you, that’s when the pressure bites. I’m not one for a fancy façade, I like to keep my chest out, let the good stories roll and laugh it off; it’s easier to be yourself than to juggle a mask all the time. If someone asks about the real me, I just open up and say “this is me, no costume, no drama.”

You’re right, even a “raw” vibe can feel like a promise we’re supposed to keep up. It’s like every time I crack open a shell, there’s still that whisper, “keep it real.” The trick is to give it a laugh, shrug, and say, “Yeah, let’s be honest, but we’re all a mix of cracked shells and smooth bits.” No one gets to put a perfect mask on us forever—just a good old, honest chuckle about the mess we’re in.