Post Secret*

I have a love/hate relationship with PostSecret. The very first time someone sent me the link I was horrified because I didn’t really understand what I was reading. For those of you unfamiliar with PostSecret, you can view it HERE. It is described as (on the site): You are invited to anonymously contribute your secrets to PostSecret. Each secret can be a regret, hope, funny experience, unseen kindness, fantasy, belief, fear, betrayal, erotic desire, feeling, confession, or childhood humiliation. Reveal anything – as long as it is true and you have never shared it with anyone before. So, in a nutshell, people mail in their secrets and some are posted on a blog, and others in books, etc.

I often wonder why I bother to read them– they are often offensive, and certainly their immediate message is not very uplifting. The ‘canvas’ of the postcard behind the message it also often offensive (ie–there was one this week that contained nudity) and the some of secrets also cause me to want to pass judgment on the writer due to their content… I’m horrible, I know. There was one this week that actually really bothered me… yet at the same time, I am absolutely fascinated by the fact that people think and feel these things and feel strongly enough about them to show them to the world. I’m positive that the site would not be so popular were it not anonymous, but apparently these secrets are mailed by the hundreds every week.

So, I guess as much as I try not to enjoy reading them, I can’t help it. It’s so addicting. Maybe because I’ve never been in the position of many of the secret holders and it’s a quick glimpse into the problems and troubles of other people. I LOVE when a positive secret is shared– there’s usually at least one or two every week. And there are lots of sad ones… but I’m still drawn to it. I wait for it every Sunday. I don’t like it… but I love it. I’m so fickle.

Shop Girl*