Nobody wants to be alone, but rejection is worse. I tend to isolate myself to an extent just so as not to have to put on "the mask". My husband is the only person to whom I can truly bear my soul, and thank God I found him. The term "soul mate" fits well here. But with my family, friends, etc., I cannot entirely be myself, which may not be such a bad thing

. The mask is exhausting to wear, and if others' expectations of you are vastly different from your true self, then it can be difficult to manage. As Sartre said "L'enfer, c'est les autres" (Hell is other people).