It's not always the case that your family are the most supportive and loving people in your life.

Sometimes, they can be the exact opposite. Sometimes, they cause you to hide parts of yourself with the intrinsic hope that you'll fit in. But you know you can't keep secrets forever.


u/stinkerstine asked:

What secret do you keep from your family?

Here were some of those answers.


Backwards Thinking

This is kinda really stupid but I hide my online friendships cause they're kinda closed minded and A) dont believe that you should talk to people "you dont know", B) internet bad, and C) if you talk to a guy online, it must be a sexual thing.

imlonelylol

Keeping The Money Quiet

My family have a rough background, a lot of violence and substance use problems. I left home at 16, haven't spoken to them since, and after seven years of university have a pretty high-paying job.

I have to constantly ask websites to take down my full name because if my family found out, I'd be swamped with messages asking for money that would go straight to alcohol and ice. They already have an idea after I didn't catch a result fast enough, so it doesn't really matter and I loosened up my social media. But I still hide my income.

manlikerealities

My Happiness Was On The Line

I quit my job with the cable company a year earlier than I told them. The pressure and stress from that job became overwhelming and it was right around the time my grandmother died and I legit dropped everything and worked at a car dealership for a year before I got my insurance licenses.

Lyn1987

Free Spirits

That my husband and I go to nudist swinger resorts for fun. At least, we used to, before the pandemic. Hopefully we will again someday. Family doesn't need to know -- I think my mother would have a heart attack.

Edit: So some people have been asking. I'm 53F, husband is 70M. We've been going about 15 years. We've been to Hedo in Jamaica, Sea Mountain in California, Rooftop Resort in Florida, and Live Oak Resort in Texas. And a place in Mexico I forget, Dreamers or something like that. Live Oak is our favorite. Extensive, beautiful grounds, so lots of walking-around room -- gives it a nice mix of peaceful and erotic vibe. Note: Big difference between "lifestyle friendly" nudist places and "family friendly" ones. I've never been to a family-friendly one -- I have no interest in being around kids when I'm naked.

First time visiting I was nervous as hell, but everybody tends to be super friendly at these kinds of places. My husband and I don't swing; we just like being naked and playing with each other and watching others. It's a sexy environment with plenty of booze and smiles and laughter, and generally, plenty of respect and hands off when you say you're not interested. It's really good for the self-esteem, too, to see bodies that are not perfect but still getting laid. My visits have made me feel infinitely better and more confident about my imperfect body!

Another edit: Most people at these places are middle-aged, 35ish and older. Younger people are welcome, but as a general rule, and this is just my personal opinion, I think a lot of people are too insecure to go naked in public when they're younger. I certainly could never have done it when I was younger. It just takes getting to a certain place in your life where you are more at peace with yourself and less worried about impressing other people. Some places require couples only, others welcome singles.

getalonglittledog

But They Also Couldn't Give You Options

I dropped out of college. It was never-ending, and I was exhausted. They forced me into Graphic Design, and while I don't mind it, I'd prefer to never do it professionally- I'm more of a freelancer.

They wanted their only kid to go to college and graduate, and I couldn't even give them that.

_Fengo

Because They Won't Understand

They'll never know how depressed I really am, because, I cannot and do not want to burden them. They are the best thing in my world, and do make it better. They are responsible for what joy I do have.

I watch my kids closely, mental issues I'll deal with at the root and start if they exhibit themselves. My wife knows about my struggles, just, not how present they are, so it's not a complete secret. But it's the one thing I won't tell them.

billbapapa

Religious Differences

My religion, or rather, the lack thereof. When I was a kid, I remember seeing my mom cry because her friend's son came out as an atheist as she imagined the horror of knowing your kid is going to hell. I'm an adult so it's not like I can "get in trouble" if my parents find out, but I don't want to put them through that. I don't believe my eternal soul will rot in hell forever--why should they?

little_bear_

Parents Explain Why They Regret The Name They Gave Their Child | George Takei’s Oh Myyy

Positoovity

So everybody wrote kinda depressing things in here... but for the past two years I've been pulling a "Santa" on my parents by buying gifts for them (going to the mall w/ my friends) and then putting them under the tree when they are all asleep... its still a family secret and I don't know if they suspect me. But it's really funny, highly recommend if you are a good liar. Make sure you buy new wrapping paper too, so they don't recognize it.

Toxic_Button

Let It Fly Gurl

I'm very obviously gay, but still closeted. If my family knows they just don't talk about it or ever mention it.

catsthatdontkill

Just Keepin The Peace

You mean secrets, not secret.

Family is pretty touchy about several topics so most of my secrets come from a difference in opinion. And my usual method to avoid detection is just agree with them and move on. I'm not the talker of the family, that's for sure

SableyeFan