Mask off.

You ever just sit there, thinking, “If I could just stop pretending to be someone else for five minutes, I could finally catch my breath”? Yeah, that’s the life of a lot of Black girls—caught in the constant cycle of being too much for some and not enough for others.

See, society tells us to mask up. And I’m not talking about cute little designer masks (though, honestly, I’d rock one if it came with sequins and a good filter). No, I’m talking about the emotional mask. The one where we smile through clenched teeth, laugh off the trauma, and twist ourselves into pretzels just to fit into someone else’s box. We’re juggling a hundred expectations and still making sure that nobody’s too uncomfortable by our unapologetic presence. Because, heaven forbid, we let our true selves show.

But let me tell you something: this masking gig is a scam. It’s like wearing shoes that don’t fit and pretending you don’t have blisters, just to look cute. You keep walking, but your feet are bleeding. And then you wonder why you're exhausted. Honey, masking sucks, and people-pleasing is an illness. If you’ve been saying “yes” to everything while your inner self is screaming “no,” you’re basically operating on emotional caffeine, and trust me, that crash is real.

So how do we fix this? How do we start truly living, unmasked, unapologetically ourselves? Well, first, let’s start by getting real with God. I mean, if He created us as masterpieces, then why are we trying to be budget versions of someone else? God didn’t make us to shrink; He made us to stand tall, confident, and a little bit sassy. Prayer isn’t just for asking for a good day; it’s for remembering who you are in the eyes of the Creator. So, go ahead and talk to God like He's your best friend—because guess what? He’s the only one who’s not asking you to "tone it down."

Next up: mental health. Look, being a Black girl means sometimes you’re carrying the weight of a thousand ancestors and your own personal baggage all while looking fabulous. But at some point, you’ve got to unload that emotional luggage. Therapy is like that spa day your soul never knew it needed. Therapy isn’t just for when things are "really bad," it's for existing in a world that doesn’t always make room for your fullness. So, if you need to see a therapist to stop pretending you’ve got it all together, go ahead. You deserve it.

Let’s talk about exercise. Sis, I get it. Sometimes the only "exercise" you get is running through your thoughts at 100 miles per hour. But movement? Movement is freedom. When I say "movement," I mean real movement—whether it’s a dance session in your living room or a quick walk around the block. When you move your body, you remind yourself that you have the power to change how you feel, even if it's just for a few minutes. Plus, sweating it out releases all those "I'm-a-strong-Black-woman" vibes in the healthiest way possible. Not to mention, you get that glow. And who doesn’t want that?

But here’s the secret sauce: self-care. And I’m not just talking about putting on a face mask (though, let’s be real, that feels good too). I’m talking about caring for yourself in ways that affirm your worth. Treating yourself like you actually matter. Whether it’s setting boundaries with people who want to drain you or indulging in that guilty pleasure book, movie, or snack you’ve been eyeing—take care of YOU. Show yourself the love you so easily give to others.

Being yourself isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. And trust me, the world will survive without you pleasing everyone else. In fact, it’ll probably be better off. When you stop masking, stop people-pleasing, and start being the bold, confident, unfiltered Black girl you were born to be, something magical happens. You start to live fully. And when you live fully? Sis, you shine. And when you shine, you give permission for every other Black girl out there to do the same.

So let’s throw away the masks, embrace our quirks, our edges (both the hair and the attitude), and love ourselves like we’ve never loved before. Because, darling, the world can handle the real you. And if it can’t, well, that’s their problem, not yours.

Now go out there and be the greatness you are. Unmasked, unapologetic, and all the way real.