In a world where sharing has become second nature, the idea of keeping things private can seem radical. As a writer, I often grapple with the balance between honesty and oversharing. Writing about real-life experiences is cathartic, but it doesn’t mean that I need to share every piece of my truth with everyone.
A few years ago, I wrote about reconciling with an estranged sibling. The writing process was therapeutic, and it helped me make sense of complex emotions. However, when the piece was published, I questioned my decision to write it in the first place. Sharing such a personal experience with the world felt risky, and I questioned whether I made the right decision. In hindsight, I stand by my choice, but I also recognize the importance of deciding to keep certain parts of my life private.
Social media turns privacy into a commodity, something that feels increasingly rare in the digital age.
Society constantly bombards us with the expectation to share every detail of our lives — who we’re with, where we are, what we’re doing, and even why we make all of our decisions. It’s easy to feel pressure to participate in this cycle of oversharing, but it’s crucial to remember that privacy is a choice, and it’s OK to keep some things to ourselves.
Over the past few years, I’ve learned that protecting my peace sometimes means choosing not to share certain aspects of my life with others. If sharing a life event causes emotional harm or compromises my mental health, then it’s simply not worth posting about. Social media is wonderful in so many ways, but I now know that maintaining boundaries around what I share is essential for my well-being.
You don’t owe anyone access to your life. Your stories, experiences, and emotions are yours to share — or to not share — as you see fit.
Your privacy matters, and it’s OK to protect yourself, even if others don’t understand why you refuse to “open up.”
At the end of the day, your mental health matters more than your vulnerability on social media. Social media can be an excellent tool, but it’s not worth sacrificing your peace for the sake of likes, comments, and validation. So the next time you feel pressured to share something big on social media, remember that sometimes, not sharing is the best decision that you can make for yourself.
Featured Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash.
