The first time I had to leave my house and put that mask on my face, I HATED it.
Until recently, I may have been a little whiny and possibly slightly annoying about wearing it.
Okay, extremely annoying.
But before you judge me, let me explain.
They make my ears hurt. My nose gets all red and raw and Rudolph like. My lip balm doesn’t stay on and my lips get chapped.
After every grocery shopping excursion, I break out around my nose and mouth.
It always feels like it is about to fall off.
I deal with this big internal battle over whether I risk it falling off or the risks of touching it.
And please don’t even get me started about that one time I sneezed. I am still having flash backs.
Embrace the Mask
But last week, everything changed.
I reached into my purse and a feeling of pure panic came over me. I quickly realized I didn’t have any gum.
Normally that wouldn’t be a big deal, but I had just finished my coffee as I pulled into the parking lot of my chiropractor.
I knew I had coffee breath, bad coffee breath. And, if you have ever been to a chiropractor, you are well aware that they get pretty up close and personal.
In my frantic search for a mint, something, anything to freshen my breath, I suddenly felt calm and a sense of relief.
I knew my breath was not bad enough to make it through my mask and his mask to his nose. So, I was good.
This was the moment I decided I needed to embrace the mask. And you should too, if you haven’t already.
But just in case you need some reasons to love your mask, I am here to help:
1. Bad Breath is a Non-Issue
For me, coffee is my big bad breath offender.
I may drink an unhealthy amount of it, but, with 3 small children, it is completely necessary.
Maybe your culprit is onions or garlic – both of which can hang around long after your meal.
But now, no worries.
Not a big fan of gum? Don’t chew it. It’s not necessary.
So, eat that tuna sandwich, throw on your mask and the world will never know what you had for lunch.
2. No Floss, No Problem
Having food stuck in your teeth is often embarrassing. However, now broccoli, spinach and strawberry seeds are no longer an issue.
It seems like something always gets stuck in your teeth at the worst possible times.
Those so-called friends rarely inform you and instead let you walk around for hours with a giant piece of spinach in your teeth.
Now after lunch you can just put your mask back on and you don’t have to worry about walking into an important meeting with something in your teeth.
3. Using Less Makeup
My morning routine has changed a bit since I don’t need much makeup. Why bother applying everything when only a third of my face is showing?
No need for lip stick – no one is going to see it anyway.
Plus, you also don’t really want lipstick all over the inside of your mask. Just throw it in a drawer for now.
One less thing in your purse.
I find that I am saving time, money and may even get a few extra minutes of sleep.
All vital for a mom of 3 kiddos 5 and under.
4. Potential Weight loss
Mindless snacking is a thing of the past. You can’t really snack with a mask on your face.
I mean, I guess you could, but it is a whole lot more challenging.
You really need to plan out that snack. If you are a person who snacks at work, this may be the time you have been waiting for to break that pattern and take off a few extra pounds.
It is swimsuit season.
5. Facial Expressions
When someone says something that you think is ridiculous, do you have trouble controlling your facial expressions?
I do. Zero control over it.
Can’t hide my thoughts. Instant reaction.
But now, I have plausible deniability.
Can you really tell just by my eyes?
I didn’t think so.
This time will allow me to attempt to regulate my reactions and avoid conflict in the future.
If you are like me, this can be extremely beneficial in maintaining relationships.
6. Avoiding People
We all have those people that you dread running into, especially when you are on a time crunch or you have a hungry toddler in tow.
It’s now extremely easy to avoid them and not appear to be avoiding them.
Really, you can avoid anyone you don’t want to talk to for any reason.
It takes some serious focus to pick someone out of a crowd who is wearing a mask, especially if you are not expecting to see them.
7. Surprise Encounters
It can, in fact be extremely exciting when you run into someone you know.
Especially when you have been in quarantine for what feels like forever and you see familiar eyes.
You get to play the “who are you and how do I know you” game.
You both get to look at each other for several awkward seconds before you are both sure you know who the other person is.
And, occasionally, you get it wrong, but that just adds to the exhilarating experience.
8. Developing your Mask Style
So many different styles, patterns and fabric chooses.
Many of the major clothing stores are creating their own lines for your whole family. Not to mention that many individuals are making them and selling them locally.
There is always Etsy shop as well. You can get basic colors or fun, crazy patterns. You can even coordinate with your outfits.
Want to make a political statement – use your mask.
If you have some sewing skills and are a Pinterest Mom, you can even make your own.
So many different avenues to explore your creativity.
9. Expanding your Child’s Vocabulary
I try to leave the children at home when running errands but sometimes it is impossible.
Trying to get a 3-year-old and 5-year-old to keep a mask on has its challenges.
Between them biting it, wanting to use it as a sling shot, or their 1-year-old sister trying to pull it off, concentrating on the task at hand can be can be tough.
I am finding so many ways to encourage them to keep it on.
Their vocabulary has expanded in ways I never expected.
10. Protection
There are so many reasons to love our masks but the most important reason is that it allows us to add an extra layer of protection for ourselves and others.
It is keeping us from unconsciously spreading or catching The Covid.
It demonstrates true act of love for those around you.
There you have it. 10 reasons to love and embrace your mask.
Wear it proudly.
I will gladly deal with my chapped lips and Rudolph nose.
After all, no one can see them anyway.
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