The reflection draws on several core ideas from psychology and philosophy, many of which focus on the tension between our inner self and our public persona : •  The Persona (Carl Jung): This is the most direct and fitting concept. The Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung defined the persona as the social mask or public face an individual presents to the world. It is a carefully constructed archetype that helps us adapt to society and fit into social roles. The reflection's entire premise—that "we are all, in a way, wearing a mask" and that this mask is heavy—is a direct exploration of Jung's concept.•  Authenticity and Inauthenticity (Existentialism): The reflection's call to "take off the mask" and embrace our "imperfections and all" is a central theme in existentialist philosophy. Thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger explored the idea of authenticity, which is the state of living in accordance with one's true self, values, and existence. In contrast, they described inauthenticity as living according to external social pressures, expectations, or pre-defined roles, which mirrors the "curated selves" described in the text.•  Vulnerability (Brené Brown): The idea that "real connection doesn't happen between two perfect people; it happens between two authentic people" and the specific mention of sharing "a moment of vulnerability" are strongly reminiscent of the work of American research professor and author Brené Brown. Her research on shame, vulnerability, and courage posits that vulnerability is not a weakness but a necessary ingredient for genuine human connection and courage. Her books and talks, such as Daring Greatly, have popularized this idea.•  The Public Self vs. The Private Self (Sociology): Sociologists, particularly those in the field of symbolic interactionism, have long studied the different "selves" people present in various social contexts. The reflection touches on the societal pressure to maintain a certain image, which aligns with the sociological understanding of how we perform different roles and construct our identities in interaction with others.