Masking refers to concealing one's genuine emotions, thoughts, or behaviors to conform to social norms, avoid judgment, or protect oneself from potential harm. This can involve suppressing or hiding certain aspects of one's personality, blending in with others, or appearing more socially acceptable. Masking is often used as a coping mechanism by individuals who feel different or out of place in social and family situations. Still, it can lead to significant emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and a diminished sense of self over time. High Masking is exhausting because it is more of a performance rather than being in line with how you really feel and think. It can lead to periods of needing to crash, isolate, and recover from the use of high levels of energy that masking requires.

High masking in a relationship, where one or both partners conceal their genuine emotions, thoughts, or behaviors to avoid conflict, judgment, or vulnerability, can have significant impacts:

1. Emotional Disconnection: When partners mask their true feelings, it creates an emotional barrier, preventing genuine intimacy and understanding. Over time, this can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation within the relationship.

2. Trust Issues: Consistent masking can erode trust. If one partner feels that the other is not authentic, it may lead to doubts about the relationship's foundation, causing suspicion and insecurity.

3. Increased Stress and Anxiety: Constantly hiding one's true self can be mentally exhausting. The effort to maintain a facade may increase stress and anxiety, which can spill over into other areas of life, affecting overall well-being.

4. Unresolved Conflicts: Masking often leads to avoiding difficult conversations, resulting in unresolved conflicts. These buried issues can accumulate and resurface later with greater intensity, potentially leading to more considerable arguments or resentment.

5. Reduced Satisfaction: A relationship with high masking is often less satisfying for both partners. With open communication and vulnerability, the relationship may feel more superficial, lacking the depth and fulfillment of being indeed known and accepted by another person.

6. Potential for Relationship Breakdown: If high masking persists, it can ultimately lead to the breakdown of the relationship. The lack of genuine connection and unresolved issues may reach a point where one or both partners feel the relationship is no longer worth sustaining.

Fostering open communication that builds trust that your partner has your emotional back and yours theirs, emotional honesty, and productive management of conflicts are essential for a healthy relationship. This allows both partners to be authentic and feel there is a safe space to face what is happening in their lives. This opens a space for creative solutions to fixable problems and better management of perpetual issues that can’t be fixed but improved upon.