I don't know so much about a mask as a filter. Argh, now I have to articulate the difference!
Mask I guess implies to me that the things being hidden are superficial and might in certain circumstances be considered OK. Masking is what I do with my grandmother when I don't talk about religion or politics, or with my parents regarding my sex life. They're things that I don't put out there selectively because it's easier to not deal with the fallout/arguments.
Filtering is what I do with the seriously unacceptable thoughts/feelings/whatever, things that even though I think/feel them, if I look at them too hard they make me uncomfortable. And wanting to expose that to the air so it doesn't fester, I guess.
no subject
Mask I guess implies to me that the things being hidden are superficial and might in certain circumstances be considered OK. Masking is what I do with my grandmother when I don't talk about religion or politics, or with my parents regarding my sex life. They're things that I don't put out there selectively because it's easier to not deal with the fallout/arguments.
Filtering is what I do with the seriously unacceptable thoughts/feelings/whatever, things that even though I think/feel them, if I look at them too hard they make me uncomfortable. And wanting to expose that to the air so it doesn't fester, I guess.