@KatyElphinstone @olena “we tone down the perception: … blocks the pain, it kinda puts shades on the whole world around: I hear less, I notice less, ... And sometimes we don’t realize we’re entering that state or even are existing in it for days and weeks. We are in pain, but don’t let ourselves know it.”@JoBlakely suggested the term “dimming” as in dimming our lights and it’s still my favourite over “masking”.It covers both what you describe above and the stifled confidence and creativity that would enable us to shine.