30 Fearless People Share Secrets They Have Kept Away From Someone, And They Range From Kind To Outrageous

"I’ve decided I’m handing in my resignation"

People will keep the weirdest stuff from the people they love. One minute it’s an “honesty box for excess eggs,” the next minute it’s a secret that makes the whole relationship feel like a locked door.

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This Reddit thread asked, basically, what you’ve kept away from someone, and the answers went from kind to downright outrageous. There were confessions about everyone “moving on” like nothing happened, a “she will never know” situation that sounds like it’s still sitting in someone’s chest, and even a bouncy house water slide that somehow became a whole incident. Then the list gets more chaotic: cashing everything in, turning the uncle in, and that oddly wholesome “little man needs something positive.”

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Here’s the full story.

Here is the question, and it received thousands of responses

Here is the question, and it received thousands of responsesr/AskReddit
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1. An honesty box for excess eggs

1. An honesty box for excess eggsr/AskReddit
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Secrets, whether they are harmless or troubling, significantly influence the dynamics of our relationships. The stories shared by the 30 individuals reveal that the act of withholding personal information often leads to emotional distance, creating a barrier that can leave individuals feeling isolated. This theme resonates throughout the narratives, as many confess that their unshared experiences weigh heavily on them, suggesting a deeper psychological burden.

Moreover, the implications of keeping secrets extend beyond mere feelings of isolation. Many contributors hint at the cognitive toll that such secrecy takes, impacting not only their mental health but also diminishing the quality of their relationships. The tension between the desire for intimacy and the fear of vulnerability is palpable in these accounts, highlighting the complex interplay between trust and discretion in human connections.

2. Everyone has moved on

2. Everyone has moved onr/AskReddit

3. She will never know

3. She will never knowr/AskReddit

Moreover, research in social psychology shows that secrets can alter the way individuals perceive themselves and others. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that the burden of secrecy can lead to increased anxiety and stress, ultimately affecting interpersonal communication.

This psychological strain can manifest in various ways, from withdrawal to aggression, depending on the individual’s coping mechanisms.

4. A bouncy house water slide

4. A bouncy house water slider/AskReddit

5. Cashing everything in

5. Cashing everything inr/AskReddit

The egg honesty box might sound harmless, but it sets the tone for how small omissions can quietly mess with closeness.

Fostering Openness and Vulnerability

To mitigate the negative effects of secrets, psychologists recommend fostering an environment of openness and trust within relationships. Engaging in regular check-ins can provide a safe space for sharing thoughts and feelings, which can alleviate the emotional burden of secrets.

6. Turning the uncle in

6. Turning the uncle inr/AskReddit

7. Little man needs something positive

7. Little man needs something positiver/AskReddit

Furthermore, incorporating vulnerability into discussions can strengthen relational bonds.

8. Being incapable of relaxing

8. Being incapable of relaxingr/AskReddit

9. Fixing your partner's car

9. Fixing your partner's carr/AskReddit

Then comes the “everyone has moved on” vibe, where the silence after the fact feels louder than the original secret.

Who do you divulge your secrets to, and to whom do you reveal theirs? Like money, secrets should only be shared with those we can truly trust because when someone confides in us, it typically makes us feel good about ourselves, as it shows that we are respected or trusted enough for them to share their private information with us.

We learn daily about the importance and power of secrecy, even if the majority of adult secrets deal with rather serious subjects.

This is similar to the employee who refused the boss’s newborn party over strict allergen-free demands.

10. Not having too many friends

10. Not having too many friendsr/AskReddit

11. Comparing treatment options and progress

11. Comparing treatment options and progressr/AskReddit

12. Being in love with your roommate

12. Being in love with your roommater/AskReddit

13. When you're adding an extra year

13. When you're adding an extra yearr/AskReddit

14. Being burned out to function as a person

14. Being burned out to function as a personr/AskReddit

15. Being an excellent employee

15. Being an excellent employeer/AskReddit

16. When life isn't really enjoyable

16. When life isn't really enjoyabler/AskReddit

17. Being used as an outlet for anger and frustration

17. Being used as an outlet for anger and frustrationr/AskReddit

18. Mixing leftovers

18. Mixing leftoversr/AskReddit

19. Getting into a show

19. Getting into a showr/AskReddit

20. She deserved a break

20. She deserved a breakr/AskReddit

21. Sharing my contentment with people

21. Sharing my contentment with peopler/AskReddit

22. Being pretty comfortable financially

22. Being pretty comfortable financiallyr/AskReddit

23. Oh, the poor dog

23. Oh, the poor dogr/AskReddit

24. Buying color-blind compatible versions of board games

24. Buying color-blind compatible versions of board gamesr/AskReddit

25. Feeling guilty sometimes

25. Feeling guilty sometimesr/AskReddit

26. Getting mortgage protection insurance

26. Getting mortgage protection insurancer/AskReddit

27. When your hands refuse to work

27. When your hands refuse to workr/AskReddit

28. Working together for weeks

28. Working together for weeksr/AskReddit

29. Not having anything to spare

29. Not having anything to sparer/AskReddit

30. Not being compatible with people

30. Not being compatible with peopler/AskReddit

The thread really spirals when “she will never know” gets paired with the chaos of a bouncy house water slide, like someone’s luck ran out mid-party.

By the time we hit turning the uncle in and cashing everything in, you can see why these secrets never stay contained.

The reluctance to disclose personal truths, whether rooted in fear or a desire to protect others, highlights a critical tension between intimacy and privacy. Many contributors reveal that the act of withholding certain information can sometimes preserve the peace, yet it often creates an emotional distance that can hinder true connection. The narratives suggest that fostering an environment of openness is essential; when individuals feel safe to share their secrets, it can lead to enhanced relational satisfaction and a greater sense of emotional well-being. This intricate dance between vulnerability and discretion is vital for navigating the complexities of human relationships.

Nobody wants to be the person left holding the secret.

Wait, would you still eat your date’s ex’s homemade meal after the recipe reveal? See the WIBTA etiquette dilemma.

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