Keeping your personal life private can massively contribute to your happiness.
Whether it is relationship issues, family problems, or financial matters, oversharing personal information can leave you feeling weak and vulnerable. Of course, this is not to say that you should never discuss your problems with anybody or ask people for advice when you need help. However, you should take care not to overshare as it can harm your happiness more than you know. According to Stephanie Reeds, there are five things you should keep private in order to live a happy life:
1. Your relationship issues
Unfortunately, not everyone will have your best interests at heart – even your friends can become overcome by jealousy. A relationship is between two people and thus, all issues regarding it must be resolved between them. People outside of your relationship cannot solve your problems and do not have a say in what you or your partner should do. Reeds writes that you should keep your love life to yourself unless you are in a toxic relationship and need to seek outside help.
2. Your finances
This kind of information can make people view you differently. Whether you are rich or poor, people may make assumptions based on this and treat you in a different way to how they normally would. Taking this further, some may put you down whereas others might use you for your money. In any case, it is best to keep your financial matters private to avoid harming your happiness.
3. Your weaknesses
Reeds reminds us that not everyone we confide in is a true friend and not everyone who treats us nicely wishes us well. It is best to keep your weaknesses to yourself as they can be used against you in the future. Letting someone become privy to your vulnerabilities gives them great power and some might jump at the opportunity to abuse it. Protect your private life and in turn, your happiness.
4. Your family problems
It goes without saying that sometimes, we do need to confide in a friend. When your family is struggling and you have no one to talk to, you need someone to listen and a shoulder to cry on. However, sharing family problems should be done with caution as Reeds explains that these conversations are not only awkward but that they are also inconsiderate to your family.
5. Your honest deeds
Sharing your good deeds, publicizing them, and uploading them on social media implies that you care more about seeming like a generous person than you do about being one. According to Reeds, ‘humbleness is the highest virtue that one could possess. If you want to help someone, do it for them, not for the glory’.
Ultimately, you should be cautious and wary of those with whom you choose to share your private life. Confiding in true, lifelong friends is sometimes necessary but even this should be done with certain boundaries set in place.
Protect your privacy and stay guarded when it comes to your personal life.
Stephanie Reeds
