The Difference Between Privacy and Privacy and How Each May Affect Your Relationship
When it comes to romantic relationships, there are certain unwritten rules that are often not discussed until one person decides that the other has broken them. We’re becoming more open about things like monogamy, but what about revealing personal information?
If you are romantically involved with someone, how much are you going to tell that person about your life? Are you expected to (eventually) fill them in with all the details of your life, both past and present? Or can you keep some information to yourself? Basically, it boils down to the difference between secrecy and privacy and how they apply to romantic relationships.
Erica Sloan recently answered these questions in an article for Well + Good . Here’s what you need to know.
Difference between secrecy and privacy
So what is the difference between secrecy and confidentiality? “If you don’t disclose something because you don’t want to, this is most likely an example of privacy,” says Well + Good Amy Morin , psychotherapist and editor-in-chief of Verywell Mind . “And if you don’t disclose something because you’re afraid of the consequences, it’s most likely secrecy.”
Namely, to keep secrets secret, you need to work hard. “Secrets tend to rule our lives,” explains Maureen. “You will likely spend a lot of energy to hide or hide them.” This can include everything from shackling other people to help cover your tracks, to extremes of hiding information from your partner. For example, someone has an affair – a pretty vivid example of a mystery.
How to define secrecy and confidentiality in a relationship and why it matters
If you’re not sure if something is a big secret, or you just want to keep your privacy, Hattie J. Lee, LMFT , therapist and author of The Indwell Guide has some tips.
“First of all, you must identify the underlying emotions that govern your behavior,” she says. “Is it anxiety and fear? Is your behavior potentially harmful to your partner? Has this created distance or a rift in your relationship? Then I can believe that you are keeping a secret, ”she says to Well + Good.
On the other hand, if hiding something from your partner does not create negative emotions, chances are good that you have exercised your right to privacy. “Do you feel peaceful or aware of your needs and desires? Is your behavior aimed at respecting your boundaries? Then I tend to believe that you are protecting your privacy, ” explains Lee .
So how many romantic partners should you tell each other? According to Lee, confidentiality is not only useful, but also plays an important role in relationships. “People often think that you need to share everything in order to experience intimacy or intimacy, but I tell my clients to listen to their bodies and think if you feel safe or comfortable revealing what you are about to reveal.” she says. Good + Good.
But since everyone has their own concepts and definitions of secrets and privacy, you will need to talk to your partner about this conversation – along with discussing other important boundaries in your relationship.