One of the things we used to do on all of our cruises was attend the art auctions. It was a great opportunity to learn about different styles, discover new artists, and bring home a few special pieces. On one of those cruises, I discovered the work of Anatole Krasnyansky, and I was instantly drawn to it—not just for the color and detail, but for the meaning behind it.
Krasnyansky’s earlier works were cityscapes, but over time he transitioned to creating art featuring masked figures. The idea behind his masked art is that in different circumstances, we all wear different masks. We are not always our true selves. It’s not a new concept, but one I hadn’t really thought much about until then. I simply loved the uniqueness of his work—and the quiet truth it holds.
When you wear a mask, you can be anyone. You can be funny. You can be outgoing. You can be confident when you’re scared. You can smile when you want to cry.
My sister once won one of Krasnyansky’s prints at an art auction and surprised me by giving it to me. It now hangs in my work area—a little daily reminder.
At my recent work conference, that print came to mind. In the past, conferences have always been stressful and exhausting for me. I had to perform, act a certain way, and live up to the expectations of my company and my clients. I was essentially wearing a “mask,” and it took a lot out of me.
This time was different. I didn’t have to present or perform. My only job was to attend classes and get to know my new teammates. I didn’t have to act any particular way—I could simply be myself.
In my real life, I love to laugh and giggle with my grandson, chatter endlessly about whatever pops into my mind, and enjoy getting out and about. I like things to be tidy and organized (though I’ll admit, I’ve been a bit of a mess these past few years!). I want to build a local friend group, but I haven’t quite found “my people” yet. My besties are my sisters and a few long-distance friends.
Until I feel comfortable with someone, I tend to be quiet and cautious. It’s almost like imposter syndrome—I don’t always feel smart enough, good enough, or sure that people even like me. The funny thing is, I can talk to anyone when there’s no expectation of seeing them again. When there’s nothing at stake, I’m actually my most confident. That’s when I wear less of a mask.
At the conference I recently attended, I found myself watching how my new teammates interacted and wondered:
Are they wearing masks too?
How long did it take them to feel like part of the group?
I never really felt like part of my last team, even after two and a half years. Maybe it was because we were remote and our only connection was through Teams meetings. Or maybe—it was me.
Maybe some of us are just better at wearing our masks.
By the end of the conference, I realized I had laughed more, stressed less, and genuinely enjoyed just being me. Maybe the trick isn’t about removing every mask—it’s about knowing when to wear one and when to let it slip.
Life gives us plenty of stages to perform on, but every once in a while, it feels good to step off, take a deep breath, and let the mask fall away. Maybe the art on my wall wasn’t just a gift—it was a reminder.
A reminder that behind every mask, there’s a story, a smile, and a soul waiting to be seen.
What about you? When do you feel most comfortable taking off the mask and just being yourself?
With love & glitter,
Valerie
Feathers and Phases 
It’s not always easy to be yourself. Sometimes wearing a mask is necessary (for your own good, and other times, for the good of others 😉). But, I think, as we get older, it often becomes easier to drop the mask, because we realize that many of the things we worried about when we were younger weren’t nearly as important as we once thought.
LikeLike