Perhaps one of the biggest reasons a blog like "Humans of New York" has become such a popular phenomenon is because it invited random people to speak, unfiltered, and reminded everyone else that the people around us are endlessly fascinating and complicated in innumerable ways. Everyone around you has a secret or two, and while some people choose to keep those secrets quiet, others may achieve catharsis through sharing.
This appeared to be the case after Redditor KayGee1922 asked the online community,
"What is your darkest secret that you want to get off your chest?"
"I messed up..."
"I messed up the promotional posters of a well-known martial arts film by editing its Wikipedia article with incorrect character names before it came out. The company in charge of the posters was incompetent enough to use Wikipedia as its source for the names of the characters."
This is genius. Genius, I say. I can't help but laugh.
"That the demands of the world..."
"That the demands of the world seem like such a waste of time. If I had my way I'd move somewhere I could enjoy the sunset and call it good."
"I've got a chronic illness..."
"I'm terrified my husband will realize that I'm so not worth all the effort he puts into our relationship and taking care of me. I've got a chronic illness and he's had to add taking care of me to his plate on top of already being a wonderful husband and father."
It sounds like you are one lucky human being. He loves you! Hold tight to that.
"I have already..."
"I have already been vaccinated (first dose only) but I haven't told anyone because I don't want people to start making plans socially with me. I'd rather stay home."
"I was happy..."
"I was happy when my wife's father died. Still happy. He was a toxic f*** but my wife still loved him and tried with everything to keep in touch and have some kind of link to him. It was destroying her because her love wasn't reciprocated. Now that selfish prick is dead and my wife is slowly healing."
There are a few people in my family who I won't miss either, just saying. I completely understand this.
"I am not allowed..."
"I am a twin survivor. Because my mom is traumatized by the death of my brother, she denied his complete existence (he died at birth) and everyone in my family, her friends, believe I was a single child in her pregnancy. I am not allowed to reveal the truth nor mention his name."
You are worthy of love and help.
Feel free to reach out to a professional. While your mother has the right to grieve the way she wants, she doesn't have the right to impose that on you.
"She doesn't know..."
"I'll go first I guess... my mom is cheating on my dad and has been for a while now. She doesn't know I know and I don't know which of them to tell, or if I should just ignore it and stay out of their business."
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"I set up..."
"I set up a surprise flower delivery to my wife's workplace today. I'm excited for her reaction."
This is super sweet! "Dark" secret, huh? Did you actually get the memo?
"I was alone with my grandfather in hospice a day or so before he died (so my mom could get a shower and fresh clothes). He kept trying to get up, thinking he had to go to work, but he was so weak, all he could do was grab my hand to try to get some leverage to sit up. I got him to settle by telling him it was his day off.
My mom came back and I left after a while. He deteriorated into being nearly non responsive and passed that week. At the funeral, she said that her grief wasn't so bad because he kept grabbing her hand and 'squeezing as if to say "I love you" '.
I'll never tell her."
"I haven't gotten another one."
"My dog died in 2010. I haven't gotten another one. It's the longest I've been without a dog in my life. When my family asks why I haven't gotten another dog, I just laugh and tell them that I don't want the expense, the mess, the responsibility... but that's not true. When my dog died, it broke me. It's been over 10 years and I still miss him and the real reason I haven't gotten another dog is I don't want to feel the pain of losing him again. I keep that to myself, I guess."
Carrying around a deep, dark secret can take a toll on your mental health. We highly recommend you seek out professional help if you find that you're experiencing high levels of stress or anxiety as a result.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is here for you.
SAMHSA's National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. Call anytime at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Have some stories of your own? Feel free to tell us in the comments below.
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