UNMASKED

In this painting, it depicts a woman holding a mask behind her face and a monarch butterfly in her hand with some lovely flowers in the background. The butterfly's initial cocoon portrays the internal sufferings of mental illness, and the transformation into a colourful, wingless butterfly represents optimism for a brighter future. I’ve painted this art since this woman represents a lot of us who are hiding behind a mask; we attempt to hide our authentic self and often suffer in silence while trying to blend in with other people around us. We put on mask after mask in order to get through each day of our life so that other people won't worry about us. We are all aware of what occurs when someone works continuously without stopping. Burnout is something that we have all faced. However, despite how well we communicate the value of self-care and mental health, some of us were among the worst at actually practicing it.

There is a famous quote states that "a picture is worth a thousand words," but this does not always imply that the words convey the truth about the image. An image might really have the opposite effect. It could give the impression that everything is ideal, that you have never been better, or that you are having a great time. The fact is that we all cover up our suffering, our anxieties, and our concerns. In the short run, it offers emotional defense for all of us. When the suffering is too strong for us to be honest with ourselves, our emotions determine the masks we wear. We must have the guts to speak our truth when the mask is no longer sufficient for our wellness in order to start the healing process. Let’s keep in mind to take off the masks and set aside time to be who we are, not who someone else requires us to be.

If you're one of the many people who wear these masks constantly or to the point that it's difficult to breathe. There is no one who needs you more than you. It's alright to reveal one's emotions. There’s no need to hide; we're all just humans. We should normalize emotional vulnerability. It is possible to remove our armour and be open to new ways of being and living with the help of professionals, our loved ones, and even our friends. It takes courage to undertake something so challenging. So, if you struggle with the masks you wear, experience anxiety or despair, or have a loved one who is battling addiction and mental illness, take the risk and seek out. You'll be happy you removed mask and talk about your feelings. We all deserve to be well and happy. This serves as a reminder that maintaining good mental health is important and that those who struggle with mental health difficulties ought to be treated with respect, compassion, and given access to treatment, recovery, and fulfillment.