Ten(10) things in life you should always keep private - if you want to maintain your dignity | #NwokeukwuMascot

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There’s a fine line between sharing your life and oversharing. The distinction lies in discretion. Sharing is about being open and genuine, while oversharing can often lead to uncomfortable situations or even misunderstandings. Keeping certain aspects of your life private isn’t about being secretive, but about preserving your dignity and self-respect. Wise individuals know there are certain things that are best kept under wraps.

Listed below are some things you should always keep private, to maintain your dignity:

1) Personal grievances:

We’ve all been there – a dispute with a friend, a falling-out with a family member, or a disagreement with a coworker. These personal disagreements and tensions are an inevitable part of being human. But they’re also something that should be kept private.

Why? Because airing your dirty laundry in public, especially on social media, can turn a small dispute into a full-blown drama. It can also paint you in an unflattering light. Discussing your personal grievances publicly often comes across as petty and immature. It’s far more dignified to handle these situations privately, directly with the person involved.

When you share your personal grievances with the world, you’re not just revealing details about the other person – you’re revealing something about yourself too.

2) Your love life:

Speaking from personal experience, I’ve learned that it’s best to keep the intimate details of your love life under wraps. Once upon a time, I thought it was completely normal to share every date detail, every fight, every make-up with my group of friends. Let me tell you, I was wrong.

Not only did it open up my relationship to unnecessary scrutiny and unsolicited advice, but it also led to a lot of misunderstandings and hurt feelings. I realized that by sharing so much, I was sacrificing the privacy and intimacy that should have been solely between my partner and me.

So from that day onwards, I made a conscious decision to keep my love life private. It’s not about hiding things, it’s about respecting the sanctity of your personal relationships.

Your love life is just that – yours. And maintaining its privacy can truly help maintain your dignity.

3) Financial details:

In the 19th century, discussing personal finances was considered so uncouth that it was socially unacceptable in many circles. While times have certainly changed, this is one area that could still benefit from a little old-fashioned discretion.

Your salary, savings, debts, and financial goals fall into the category of things best kept private. Sharing these details can lead to comparisons, judgments, and even potential exploitation. Moreover, flaunting wealth can create a false image of success while sharing your financial struggles may invite unwarranted pity or advice. 

When it comes to your personal finances, it’s often best to keep your cards close to your chest. It’s not just about maintaining dignity but also about preserving your financial security.

4) Family issues:

Every family has its unique dynamics and issues. Whether it’s a disagreement between siblings, a conflict with parents, or tension with in-laws, these are matters best kept within the family. Sharing these problems publicly can often escalate the situation and lead to hurt feelings and resentment. It could also potentially paint an inaccurate picture of your family members to others. Instead, try to resolve these issues internally, with respect and understanding. Families are about love and support, and airing out family issues for the world to see can undermine that bond.

5) Your future plans:

We all have dreams and ambitions. But it’s often better to keep your future plans to yourself until they’re set in stone. Talking about your plans prematurely can lead to unnecessary pressure and expectations. It can also lead to disappointment if things don’t work out as expected.

In some cultures, there’s even a belief that sharing your plans can jinx them. While this might seem superstitious, there’s wisdom in it. Keeping your plans private allows you to work on them at your own pace, without the added stress of outside opinions and expectations.

Whether it’s a new job, a big move, or a life-changing decision, consider keeping your plans under wraps until they’re a sure thing. It’s a great way to maintain your dignity and avoid unnecessary pressure.

6) Acts of kindness:

Kindness is a virtue that should be practiced for its own sake, not for recognition or praise. When we perform acts of kindness, it shouldn’t be with the intention of telling others about it later. Instead, it should stem from a genuine desire to help and make a difference.

Publicizing your good deeds can sometimes diminish their value. It can turn a selfless act into a self-serving one and can make others question your motives. When you help someone in need or perform an act of kindness, consider keeping it to yourself. Not only will this maintain your dignity, but it will also preserve the purity and sincerity of your actions.

7) Your fears and insecurities:

Like everyone, I’ve battled my own set of fears and insecurities. Whether it’s the fear of failure, the fear of not being good enough, or insecurities about appearance, we all have our internal struggles.

Sharing these personal battles openly can sometimes make us feel exposed and vulnerable. It can also invite unsolicited advice or even enable others to exploit these vulnerabilities. While it’s crucial to have a support system and confidants with whom to share these feelings, broadcasting them to the world isn’t usually beneficial. It’s essential to choose wisely who you open up to. Handling our fears and insecurities privately allows us to work through them at our own pace and in our own way. It helps us maintain our dignity and promotes personal growth.

8) Your good health and fitness habits:

We live in a world where fitness and health are often flaunted and praised. But surprisingly, it’s often better to keep your health habits to yourself.

Sharing your healthful habits and fitness journey can sometimes lead to comparisons, unnecessary pressure, or even resentment from others. It might also give others the impression that you’re showing off or trying to make them feel inadequate. Instead of broadcasting your morning run stats or your healthy meal, just enjoy them for your own benefit.

The ultimate goal of fitness is personal well-being, not social recognition. Keeping your fitness journey private can help you focus on your health for the right reasons – for yourself. And that’s a dignified way to live.

9) Your charitable donations:

Charity is about giving and helping those in need. It’s a noble act of kindness that should come from the heart, not for public recognition or praise.

Publicizing your charitable donations can sometimes give off the impression that you’re doing it for show rather than from a genuine desire to help. It can also make others feel pressured or inadequate if they’re not able to contribute as much. Instead, make your donations quietly and with sincerity.

The satisfaction of knowing you’ve made a difference is reward enough. The true spirit of charity lies in giving without expecting anything in return. Keeping your charitable donations private is a way to maintain your dignity and preserve the true essence of philanthropy.

10) Your self-improvement journey:

Personal growth is a deeply personal journey. It’s about becoming a better version of yourself, for yourself. Sharing every step of this journey can sometimes dilute its significance and turn it into a performance.

It’s not about proving to others that you’re improving, it’s about knowing it for yourself. Keeping your self-improvement journey private allows you to focus on your growth without distractions or outside influences. Lastly, the only person you need to prove anything to is yourself. That’s the ultimate dignity.

At its core, keeping certain aspects of your life private is a manifestation of self-respect and dignity.

There is power in discretion. It’s not about secrecy, but about understanding that some things are too precious, too personal to be laid out for public scrutiny. The philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer once said, “A man can be himself only so long as he is alone; and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom; for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.”

Perhaps in our quest for openness and connectivity, we’ve forgotten the value of solitude and the peace that comes from keeping some parts of our lives just for ourselves.

In the end, maintaining your privacy in these ten areas isn’t just about preserving your dignity; it’s also about cherishing your freedom and individuality. Because there’s something profoundly liberating about knowing that some parts of your life belong solely to you.

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