"I'm Tired Of Pretending"

Sometimes survival means putting on a mask.

In this episode of The Notebook, Hiba Balfaqih explores why survivors can learn to hide their pain, appear strong, and convince the world—and sometimes themselves—that everything is fine.

Through moments from The Shadow Sessions, Hiba unpacks the psychology behind the mask: why we create it, how it protects us, and what happens when we’re finally ready to take it off.