The 3 Faces Myth – The Mirrors of You
“Every person has three faces — one for the world, one for loved ones, and one for themselves.”
You have seen this quote before. It’s often called Japanese philosophy. It’s not.
But it’s easy to see why people think so.
The idea echoes two deeply rooted Japanese concepts:
tatemae (建前) and honne (本音).
- Tatemae – the face you show society, polite and proper.
- Honne – your true feelings, hidden but real.
It also connects to omote (表) and ura (裏) – the front and back sides of our identity.
The visible and the private.
The public and the personal.
The “three faces” thought adds one more layer – the intimate self you reveal only to those you truly trust.
So no, it isn’t an ancient Japanese law of life.
It’s just a mirror of what we all live every single day.
The Everyday Truth
Every day, you meet yourself in different mirrors.
The one near the door before you step out, confident, ready.
And, one in your living room, polite, agreeable.
Also, one in your bedroom, quiet, maybe tired.
Each mirror shows a different you.
None of them are fake.
They are just situational truths.
Where It Gets Tricky
The trouble begins when you forget which mirror you are standing in front of.
You carry your “office face” home.
You bring your “family face” to work.
Soon, you’re everywhere and nowhere.
That’s when authenticity blurs.
What This The 3 Faces Series Is About
Over the next few days, we will meet these mirrors one by one and help you see them clearly.
You will learn:
- which mirror drains your energy,
- which one hides your truth, and
- how to make them all reflect the same you.
This is The 3 Faces Within – The Mirrors of You.
Tonight, when you look in the mirror, ask yourself,
“Which version of me did I meet most today?”
A) The Performer – the face I show strangers, clients, or colleagues.
The one that stays polite, composed, and in control, even when tired or unsure. (Emotion it carries: pressure, alertness, performance energy.)
B) The Connector – the face I show friends and family.
The one that comforts, adjusts, and listens, often putting others first (Emotion it carries: warmth, care, but sometimes emotional exhaustion).
C) The Core – the face I meet only when I’m truly alone.
The one that lets every emotion breathe, happiness, sadness, guilt, or loneliness, without needing to hide or explain. (Emotion it carries: honesty, relief, sometimes pain.)
No judgment. Just awareness. That’s where it begins.
Post 2 of the series:
The 3 Faces Within – The Performer’s Reflection
Post 3 of the series:
The 3 Faces Within – The Connector’s Reflection
Post 4 of the series:
The 3 Faces Within – The Core Reflection
Post 5 of the series:
The 3 Faces Within – When All Mirrors Align – The Harmony Within
Post 6 of the series:
The 3 Faces Within – Seeing Others Clearly