Cool masks set the tone to make one feel comfortable

A new representative of social pecking order has emerged.

Masks.

At first, I was very reluctant to wear a mask. I felt like it meant that we were admitting there was an issue and possibly more importantly, it felt and looked weird.

At first, most masks were surgical looking. Robin’s egg blue or white with white strings snapping around one’s ears. I’m not a doctor … I’m an architect.

Then more masks started to emerge. Black masks, ski masks, bandanas turned into masks, balaclavas (a little scary), and finally patterned masks.

An evolution was occurring. Masks were becoming cool. First it was 10% of people out of the house were wearing masks. Then 30%. Now at least 80% wear masks out of the house.

But what is interesting is that the mask selection itself makes a difference. I initially began wearing a surgical type mask for safety sake. Then, my cool, baseball adorned, cotton mask arrived. It was like getting a new car. I felt confident. I felt cool. I felt like I belonged. I felt like … an architect.

And once you wear a cool looking mask, it sets the tone for everything. How you feel when wearing the mask. How people around you “admire” your mask. How you actually want to wear a mask. I can’t stress enough … get a cool mask. It’s worth it on multiple levels. And remember, the mask isn’t about you. The mask protects the people around you. Not wearing a mask is disrespectful to your fellow shoppers, clients, consultants or neighbors. It’s not about you when wearing a mask. It’s about everyone else.

Wait … I take that back. Get a cool mask. Then it’s about you and that creative, interesting, impressive mask you chose. You feel comfortable wearing that mask and you own that mask. No … it is not about the mask. It’s about staying safe. You get the point.