Psychology suggests that some facets of our lives are best kept private. It’s not about secrecy, it’s about maintaining our personal boundaries.
Sharing too much information can sometimes leave a person vulnerable or misunderstood. So, it’s important to know what to share with others and what to keep private, such as:
1. Personal goals
Setting goals is a crucial part of everyone’s life, whether it’s their career, relationships or personal growth, everyone strives to achieve something.
According to psychology, keeping your goals to yourself can actually increase your chances of achieving them. The idea may seem counterintuitive, especially in a society that encourages sharing aspirations. But the reason for this advice is that when you share your goals, the praise and appreciation you receive can trick your brain into feeling like you’ve already achieved them, which can lead to a decrease in motivation to pursue and actually achieve those goals. Potential criticism and frustration from someone else’s dissatisfaction with the goal can also be a reason to back off or stop pursuing it early on.
2. Personal beliefs
Many experiments confirm that there is added value in keeping some personal beliefs to oneself. It is not about hiding one’s identity, but rather understanding that some topics can be controversial, such as politics, religion, and some social issues, especially since they are areas in which some people may have deeply ingrained beliefs.
Sharing these beliefs can sometimes lead to unnecessary conflict, especially when the other person is not open to a different perspective.
This does not mean that one should not stand up for what one believes in, but in informal conversations, it may be best to stay away from topics of politics, religion, and controversial social issues.
3. Resentment of the past
Holding onto grudges and resentments about past events can actually have a detrimental effect on your physical health. Studies have shown that feeding negative emotions can lead to increased stress and even heart disease. It’s important to address these feelings, but constantly bringing up past resentments in conversations doesn’t help anyone. It doesn’t change the past, and it only keeps the negativity alive.
Psychologists recommend working through these feelings alone or with a trusted therapist. Forgiveness benefits the person more than the other person. Letting go of past pain can bring peace and better health, both mentally and physically.
4. Acts of Kindness and Virtue
Doing good deeds is a virtue, but the most important and highest step is to do them without expecting appreciation or praise. When a person helps others, he should do so out of genuine care and compassion, not out of a desire to enhance his image in the eyes of others. Sharing good deeds can sometimes diminish their value and make them seem less sincere.
5. Family problems
Every family has its own set of challenges and issues. These are often very personal and can be difficult to explain and understand. Discussing one’s family issues with others can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or unwanted advice, as some may not fully or clearly understand the family dynamics or the context behind some issues.
Revealing sensitive family issues may also be perceived as disrespectful to family members. It is important to maintain their privacy and respect their personal boundaries.
6. Self-love practices
In a world that often requires us to be constantly productive and “on the go,” making time for self-love and self-care is crucial. It’s a way to refuel and ensure that you can bring your best self to the world. But it’s a deeply personal practice that shouldn’t be shared with others.
7. Fears and insecurity
Having fears or insecurities in certain situations or circumstances is not a sign of weakness. In fact, everyone has their own fears. They are part of being human. But discussing those fears and insecurities can sometimes magnify them and give them more power than they deserve.
While it’s important to acknowledge these feelings, it’s also important to deal with them in a healthy way, such as through meditation or seeking help from a mental health professional.
8. Fitness Routine
It is important to stay fit and healthy. Many people already have routines and diets that they follow to maintain their health. However, psychologists say that discussing the details in this area can do more harm than good.
While it’s great to encourage others to stay healthy, discussing your personal fitness regimen can sometimes lead to unnecessary comparisons and unrealistic expectations. Every body is unique, and what works for one person may not be effective for another.
9. Financial status
For good reason. Money and economic status are often taboo topics in many cultures and societies, because whether a person is wealthy or struggling, they can lead to a variety of complications. If a person is in a good financial situation, sharing this information can arouse envy or create unrealistic expectations. On the other hand, if they are struggling financially, sharing this information can make them a target for unwanted advice or counsel.
10. Choices in Personal Life
The details of a person’s life are their own. The choices they make, big and small, shape their journey and define who they are. Whether it’s choosing to remain single, deciding not to have children, or pursuing an unconventional career path, your choices are yours and don’t need validation from others.
Sharing personal life choices with everyone can sometimes expose a person to criticism or unwanted advice. Sometimes, others may even try to influence or question a person’s decisions based on their beliefs and experiences.
Some topics can be controversial and sharing personal beliefs can lead to unnecessary conflict or criticism. It’s important to respect others’ perspectives and avoid heated debates in informal conversations.
Yes, discussing sensitive family issues can sometimes be perceived as disrespectful towards family members and may not fully or clearly explain the complexity of the situation. It’s important to respect personal boundaries and maintain privacy in these matters.
While staying fit is important, discussing specific details of one’s fitness routine can lead to unnecessary comparisons and unrealistic expectations. Everyone’s body is different and what works for one person may not work for another.
Depending on whether a person is in a good or struggling financial situation, sharing this information can lead to envy, unwanted advice, or even make them a target for exploitation. It’s best to keep financial matters private.
Personal life choices are deeply personal and shouldn’t require validation from others. It’s important to stand firm in one’s decisions and respectfully decline any unwanted input or influence. Surrounding oneself with supportive and understanding individuals can also help in dealing with criticism.