masking
n. uncountablen. the act of hiding your true feelings, thoughts, or personality to fit in with others. People often do this in social situations to feel more comfortable or safe.
n. the conscious or subconscious suppression of natural responses, symptoms, or personality traits to conform to social expectations. Often discussed in psychological contexts regarding neurodiversity or emotional regulation.
Social masking can be very tiring after a long day.
After years of masking her true personality at work, she finally felt comfortable enough to share her real interests with colleagues.
While masking may provide a temporary sense of social safety, the persistent effort required to maintain a false persona often leads to significant emotional exhaustion and burnout over time.
Commonly used in psychological and sociological contexts; often appears as a gerund to describe a continuous process.