Katherine Mansfield
The Quote in Other Words
Being alone is a dreadful experience, and it’s true. However, it’s important not to reveal your true self until you have a backup persona ready, no matter how unpleasant it may be, but a facade nonetheless.
Explanation of the Quote
This quote speaks to the fear of vulnerability and the need for self-protection. It acknowledges the pain of loneliness, but also warns against revealing one’s true self without a backup plan. The idea of a “mask” suggests that we all have different personas we present to the world, and that we should be careful about which one we reveal at any given time.
The quote also suggests that it’s okay to feel terrible, as long as we have a way to cope with those feelings. This could mean having a support system, engaging in self-care, or simply having a plan for how to deal with difficult emotions. Ultimately, the quote reminds us that we are all human and that it’s okay to struggle, but that we should also be mindful of how we present ourselves to others.
In essence, this quote is about the importance of self-preservation and the need to balance vulnerability with self-protection. It encourages us to be authentic, but also to be strategic about how we reveal ourselves to the world. By doing so, we can navigate the challenges of loneliness and other difficult emotions with greater resilience and strength.