I feel transparent in crowds. Like my skin has gone transparent and everyone can see the ho-low space inside. My thoughts displayed across my forehead, my fears leaking from my eyes. I've started wearing headphones with nothing playing just to pretend I have a reason not to speak. In those boring meetings, I watch people's eyes when I talk; looking for the moment they realize there's no substance behind my words. I'm amazed no one has called me out yet.

The feeling follows me everywhere - this certainty that I'm a fraud just waiting to be exposed. Each interaction becomes a performance I'm sure I'm failing at. The constant internal-narration picks apart every word as I speak it. I've developed ways to appear normal while feeling anything but. How long have you been performing normality? What would happen if you stopped pretending for just one day? Would anyone recognize the person beneath this performance?