Throw Me Something Real: What Wearing Mardi Gras Masks Teaches Us .

by Dr. Les Wright, Jr.

If you’ve ever spent time in Louisiana during Mardi Gras season, you know it’s not just a party — it’s a whole vibe. The parades roll; the beads fly; the king cake disappears faster than you can say “laissez les bons temps rouler”; and, everywhere you look, people are wearing masks.

Historically, during Mardi Gras season, masks gave people the freedom to step outside social class, status, and expectations. For a day — or a whole season — you could be whoever you wanted to be. No questions asked. As a coach and behavior analyst, I might call it impression management. In Louisiana, we might just say, “Baby, you puttin’ on a show.”

Mardi Gras isn’t the only time we wear masks. We wear masks at work, in relationships, and even on social media. Sometimes, masking is about survival. If someone has faced emotional, verbal, or physical abuse, masking can feel like armor. In families, it might be about keeping the peace during Sunday dinner — especially when politics or “who made the gumbo wrong” comes up.

When the Party’s Over

Mardi Gras always ends. Ash Wednesday comes. The beads come down. The makeup washes off. But in everyday life, the problem begins when the mask becomes permanent — when we forget what our unmasked face even looks like. Some of us never take the mask off. And that’s where exhaustion sets in. It’s like carrying a parade float by yourself. You constantly monitor your tone, facial expressions, and opinions. You ask, “Is this version of me acceptable?” When there’s a gap between who you are and who you present, internal friction develops. That friction shows up as stress, resentment, burnout or even anxiety.

So How Do We Drop the Mask?

Let’s be clear: You don’t need to tear the mask off dramatically in the middle of the parade. Growth is deliberate, not impulsive.

Here are some practical strategies:

Start with self-awareness. Ask yourself this: What masks do I wear? What am I protecting? Journaling or reflective coaching conversations can reveal patterns you didn’t realize were there.

Identify your core values. When you’re clear about what matters most — integrity, compassion, excellence, faith, and family — it becomes easier to show up consistently. Values serve as your internal compass when external pressures attempt to steer you away.

Practice safe authenticity. You don’t have to be vulnerable with everyone. Choose trusted spaces — close friends, mentors, a coach — where you can practice showing up as your full self.

Give yourself grace. Even the most confident people sometimes hide their true feelings. It’s human. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistency over time.

Let the Good Times Roll—For Real

Mardi Gras shows us something beautiful: there is joy in expressing yourself. There is freedom in stepping away from strict roles. But the real magic isn’t in hiding who you are — it’s in discovering your true self beneath the mask.

So this season, enjoy the parades. Catch some beads. Eat the king cake. Pass a good time.

But also ask yourself this: When the music stops, and the mask comes off, do you recognize the person in the mirror? Your greatest potential isn’t in the costume. It’s in your character.

Throw me something real!