It's as plain as the nose...under my mask.

A mask did not begin as a "fashion trend", but over the last year has certainly become one.

The initial uncertainly that came with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic left little room for trends to grow. However, as the promises of two weeks turned into four weeks and continued to grow, many citizens began to do what they do well: make the best of a bad situation.

Plain medical masks slowly transformed into colorful cloth masks, often decorated with various patterns and even political statements. Soon, masks became the greatest explosion in fashion. Masks of various fabrics, masks to match any outfit, whimsical masks, you name it!

Much like any fashion trend, the online atmosphere created by masks was potent. Millions of people changed their social media profile pictures to themselves in a mask, businesses depicted mask-wearing in advertisements, signs and billboards were put into place, and companies rushed to get new masks in to sell.

As with other fashion trends we have seen come and go over the years, this too will not last forever. Truthfully, I can't wait to say goodbye to masks.

Fashion trends come with some unsettling realities. People wonder if they will fit in with the mask they own, if their mask is as nice as their peers, or if they need to get a new mask. The trend creates cliques and groups which outcast those that do not comply. The best and finest masks are prominently worn while others avoid being seen.

Anti-maskers and avid-maskers go to social media war.

Despite the thoughts and beliefs that people have on masks, most (if not all) of us can agree on one thing: we will not miss them when they are gone. We wear something that is uncomfortable, undesirable, and unpleasant. We do this because it is the trend, it is the way things moved and we were forced to move along as well.

Face masks are the fashion trend that nobody wanted, they are arguably the worst fashion trend in the history of the earth.

I will not miss this trend.

As time has worn on, stress, exhaustion, and utter frustration accompany the concept and rationale for wearing a mask. Individuals are shunning, insulting, and ever physically fighting those that oppose their views on masks.

The destructive power of this trend is as plain as the nose on my face, which you can no longer see because of the mask which covers it up.

Children look intently to try and decipher if there is a smile underneath the cloth covering. Stores and businesses struggle to adapt to the conditions and requirements. Citizens refuse to shop at locations that do not offer the same stance as they.

One day soon, we hope, there will be a change in the direction of this trend. Groups can once again gather without feeling self-conscious or afraid, smiles will fill the streets, we will hug and kiss those we love, and the trashes will fill with masks.

Our society needs and craves another ridiculous trend to overtake us, a new style of clothing to be worn eagerly on social media. Something to see in a photograph, years down the road, and laugh about with our children and grandchildren.

Even in the future, nobody will be laughing about our face masks.

Regardless of your take on masks, health concerns aside, and political opinion aside: face masks are the trend none of us wanted, but all were forced to be a part of.

In the meantime, we can all share a silent look of solidarity, knowing that underneath the mask is a smile waiting to come out.