In an increasingly connected society where privacy is constantly in question, keeping secrets is proving to be a beneficial practice. Research from Columbia University in the US shows that keeping good news to yourself can significantly contribute to personal satisfaction.
See also: Lack of concentration in life? 5 Habits Destroy Your Productivity; Cautious!
This observed logic ultimately challenges the current trend of sharing everything on social media. In fact, according to analysts, things are going in the exact opposite direction.
Study shows importance of secrets
The study included nearly 3,000 participants and highlighted the difference between those who share their successes immediately and those who choose to keep secrets for some time. Surprisingly, those who keep it to themselves experience higher levels of satisfaction.
Research coordinator Michael Slepian, a psychologist, emphasizes that silence allows for deeper reflection. This ultimately leads to greater pleasure without outside interference.
Be careful with excess
However, the study warns that excessive seclusion can have negative consequences. When stressful secrets are kept secret and not shared, they can increase discomfort and potentially lead to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
In a context where social networks promote constant presence, researchers emphasize the need to find a balance. Constant comparison with other people's achievements on the Internet can cause envy, as a study by the Humboldt University in Berlin shows. The data was published by the magazine Veja.
Difficulty keeping secrets
Highlighting the difficulty of keeping secrets in the age of smartphones and constant exposure, experts emphasize the importance of knowing when to keep information. Anthropologist Bernardo Conde emphasizes that the need to share is often driven by the search for external validation.
Maintaining discretion and silence in a time of constant openness takes effort, but can be crucial to maintaining personal satisfaction. Therefore, today's challenge is to find the balance between virtual connection and maintaining intimacy for a fuller and more fulfilling life.