I was watching Oprah last week and the show was about regular suburban people that had dirty little secrets. Some hid behind the shadows but talked explicitly about what they did. Others came out with their secrets on the show to hundreds of strangers before they even told their closest friends. Then it struck me...its easier to talk to a stranger about your dirty laundry. Maybe its the anonymity of it. Maybe you think they won't judge you as harsh as your friends will. Most people spend an awful lot of time thinking about what other people are gonna think if they find out X thing about them. Everyone has a skeleton in their closet. Why is it easier to talk about it with someone you don't even know? Take these blogs for example...people write about anything and everything. Shielded behind a username they feel safe and free to express themselves. Are strangers better confidants than friends?
My Secret: For the longest time I battled depression on my own. I'd put up a facade of happiness and success but alone and within me it was a different story. It became so bad that I became a cutter. Since then I've gotten help but even today when friends and loved ones ask about some of the visible scars I can't tell them the whole story. Not yet.
allaroundgirl posted on Jul 03, 2006
| views: 141
Comments
-
Anna said on Jul 03, 2006....
Those Oprah shows raise some good questions, don't they? It's true...telling a stranger something intensely personal is easier- maybe because it won't hurt so much if they judge us as when a loved one/friend would, because those who are closer to us have a larger imprint on our lives. As personal secrets, mine is very similar to yours...I know what it's like with depression and hiding it from everyone. Thankfully that's over now! It's great that you got help, though- and I hope all goes well for you :o) -
lidstrom82 said on Jul 04, 2006....
Our society is more socially isolated than maybe ever before, mainly because of technology - the Internet - blogs. blogs aren't inherently evil, but if we share all our secrets and dirty laundry to complete strangers, we do nothing to fix the problems in our lives. Blogs can also be hotbeds for gossip, rumors, idle talk, stuff that is entertaining but doesn't help anything in the long run. Others might have blogs as the only outlet to share with people because no one else can/will listen. I've found that this blog allows me to learn a great deal about others, gives me a chance to encourage people with my faith, and allows for interaction apart from normal everyday life. It has its pitfalls, but we can avoid that by being honest with the people around us - even if it's hard and it sucks! -
FaithfulDisciple said on Jul 04, 2006....
It's easier to bare one's soul to strangers since there is no fear or risk of rejection. The only thing that a stranger can offer is a ready and willing ear to listen and if we get lucky a good piece of advice. Rejection doesn't hurt if we are not in any way related at all to those who reject us. -
starlightstarbright said on Jul 05, 2006....
allaroundgirl, I know exactly what you are saying. In the past , I have been judged pretty harshly by my friends and family for the things that I do with my life. The thing to remember is that people who are close to you have their own agendas as well, and if what you do or believe doesn't align with what they think, this often causes problems. In my own life, I have seen this happen many times over. In a way, we're sort of trapped by the situations our friends and families put us in, and it leaves us no other option than to turn to unbiased strangers, people who don't have a stake in our lives. I think it's therapeutic. The people I thought would support me in my dreams have been the ones to tear me down. I also turned to internet chatrooms for a while. I still do from time to time, just to get another opinion, independent of my family and friends. Just remember one thing. Only you can make the right decisions for your life. Only you can assess your own worth. You are a great person, capable of accomplishing great things. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I did, and it nearly tore me apart. -
hunter_boyce_chandler said on Jul 08, 2006....
allaround... Your secret belies a deep seated self loathing. What bad thing are you blaming yourself for child that it would necessitate such disfigurement. Did someone else tell you you were bad? Did someone else make you hurt yourself? Your secret is a cry for help. We are listening.
Comment on "Strangers...our confidants?"
Related Posts:
truthsayer
posted 6 days ago
| views: 225
|
Not to be mistaken for the Flaky Cafe'!!!Mysticism:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysticism
Mysticism (my trusty Webster's New World dictionary):
The doctrine or beliefs of mystics; specif., t... read entire post
Me-Myself&I
posted 3 days ago
| views: 55
|
It is harder to share pain than it is joy. Sometime with the help of friends and family, we endure our pains. But sometimes we have to stand alone. But if you maintain a postive outlook and endure cheerfully, we will find more company along the way.... read entire post
truthsayer
posted on Nov 06, 2009
| views: 182
|
Okay friends, folks and a few felonious philosophers: Does anyone besides my think-buddie, beyondtheveil think that we should re-open the Cosmic Cafe'?This is your chance to vote.
cos-mic (kaz' mik) adj. [[Gr kosmikos... read entire post
uniquely-ironic
posted on Nov 04, 2009
| views: 152
|
I've been doing a lot of thinking about relationships lately.... read entire post
truthsayer
posted on Nov 03, 2009
| views: 117
|
It's a blustery-flustery-cloudy-day. That is just perfect. I love Autumn Days.
They are my favorite.
This is a time of re
Do you have any repentant reflections to share from the past year of your life?... read entire post