Two Lessons I Get from Wearing A Mask

Before the pandemic, I wore a mask when I rode my motorcycle, having a long trip, to protect me from dirty air and strong wind. And right now, because of the pandemic, I have to always wear it, especially when seen in public. Aside from the reason to follow the health protocol, I do that since I have to be obedient to the government. It's always a torture for me to wear a mask when I need to be clear about things I say. Or, it's also a torture to try to understand what other people say while they are wearing a mask.

It's been more than a year for us to not forget to wear a mask. Some people say they are comfortable wearing it; some others still struggle to get used to wearing a mask. For me, either it is a year or forever, this due-to-pandemic habit will always make me in despair. Breathing is one problem. Not revealing our true whole face is another problem.

However, thanks to the pandemic, I get some important things that I can learn from this mask wearing thing. The thing about keeping healthy is just nonsense for me. How can I keep my health if one important thing for my health, the oxygen, is blocked by a mask? Those important things I get is all about life learning.

Firstly, I need to realize that not being myself (or with the mask on) must require much energy. It is always tiring for me when I have to cover half of my face to meet other people and to talk with them. In life, when I am with people, I have to hide my true self. It's not about being untrue to myself; it's only for the sake of successful communication. Then, in the end, I feel fatigued. Perhaps, other type of people will, instead, feel energized after having spent so much time communicating with people. But not me. With my nose and mouth blocked by a mask while trying to succeed a communication, it is certainly energy-draining for me. 

Another thing I learn from wearing a mask is about getting the true freedom when I become myself; in other words, I feel totally free when without a mask. I can be so much free, being the real me, when there's no one around me. With the use of mask, I can be very thankful for the chance of experiencing how terribly hard it is to block a precious thing, the oxygen, coming into my body.