Who wants everyone to know everything about them? There are some things we prefer to keep to ourselves. But is it possible to keep your secrets in an age when a post on social media can reach a wide audience in no time at all? That all depends on your own discretion, and being careful who you trust with personal information! So here's how to make sure your secrets stay a secret …
1. If You Don't Mess up, You're Safe
The best way to make sure your secrets stay safe is not to do anything you need to keep secret! Be careful and discreet. If you don't mess up, you're safe - there's nothing for anyone to find out. There's no chance of slipping up and inadvertently revealing things you'd rather keep quiet.
2. Be Careful Who You Trust
You should also be very careful about who you trust with your secrets. Some people aren't very reliable, even if you ask them to keep quiet and not tell anyone what you've just told them. Only tell the people that you can be absolutely sure won't tell a soul. Even discreet people can unintentionally let something slip, or aren't very good at covering up.
3. Keep It off the Internet
If there's something that you absolutely don't want people to know about, keep it away from the internet. While the NSA might not be terribly interested in your personal life, you can never be 100% certain that your information won't get accessed by someone. No site is guaranteed secure, so be very cautious what and where you post.
4. You Don't Have to Tell Anyone - Some Things Are Personal!
People can be nosy and ask all sorts of personal questions, and you may feel that it's rude not to respond. But even if people ask you personal questions, you don't have to answer. Simply tell them that you're not willing to answer that question. If you prefer to keep things to yourself, that's your prerogative. Don't feel obliged to tell anyone anything.
5. Lie if You Need to
Normally I wouldn't advocate lying, but if it helps you keep your secrets then it may be the best option. Think of it as being economical with the truth rather than telling a lie! Some things you'd so much rather keep to yourself, and it may not be anyone else's business - so if you have to, a lie can help you cover up.
6. Cover Yourself - Anticipate How People May Find out
You can also cleverly cover yourself by anticipating how people may find out your secrets. Then you can work out how to stop them finding out! This could include being discreet about who you tell, or where you carry out the activity you want to keep quiet about.
7. Keep Other People's Secrets
Being a trustworthy person means you're more likely to be given the same courtesy. If you've shown you can be trusted to keep other people's secrets, they'll be more inclined to keep yours in return. And it's only fair to be discreet if you want other people to keep your secrets for you.
It may be hard to keep secrets, but it's a lot more likely if you're cautious. So don't be indiscreet, or people are bound to find out! Have you ever had to keep an unpleasant secret?
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I keep personal secrets safe from friends?
- Choose trusted friends carefully and avoid oversharing sensitive information.
- What are some tips for protecting digital secrets?
- Use strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and avoid saving sensitive info on shared devices.
- Is it okay to share secrets online if profiles are private?
- It's best to avoid sharing secrets online, even on private profiles, as nothing is completely secure.
- How do I handle it if someone accidentally reveals my secret?
- Address the situation calmly, clarify boundaries, and consider limiting what you share with that person moving forward.
- Can writing secrets down help me keep them safe?
- Only if you store your notes in a secure, private place, like a locked journal or encrypted digital file.
- What should I do if I want to trust someone with a secret?
- Start by sharing less-sensitive information and gauge their reaction before entrusting deeper secrets.
- Are there ways to discreetly remind friends to keep my secret?
- Yes! Gentle reminders and expressing why the secret is important can encourage discretion.
- How do I deal with the anxiety of keeping a big secret?
- Practice mindfulness and confide in a trusted counselor or journal to manage your feelings safely.
- Should I keep secrets from my partner?
- Honesty builds trust, but some personal secrets unrelated to the relationship can remain private.
- What’s a good rule for deciding whether to share a secret or not?
- Ask yourself if sharing will help or harm the situation and consider the potential consequences carefully.