I love being discreet. And I enjoy moving discreetly too. I believe it’s a powerful tool to put into practice. However, we live in a world that often supports and sometimes promotes revealing too much. I’ve noticed a troubling trend of people who seem to lack discretion about themselves and different areas of their lives. Some people are out here doing the most; they’re seeking attention, making announcements about their next big moves, going public with things that should be private, and wasting valuable time getting into other people’s business.
A while back, one of my coworkers told me, “You’re like a really private person.” In my mind, I thought, Good. I’m glad she can see that. Because when I was able to closely discern the kind of environment I was working in and the different people I worked with, I learned that it would be best to keep everyone on a need-to-know basis. I’m also mindful of a life lesson my dad has continually modeled and taught me. Don’t reveal your whole hand. I haven’t always been good at this, and there have been times when I let my guard down and got burned when I wasn’t thinking. But now, I do my best to be a woman of discretion. I’m careful about what I choose to share and what I don’t. You have to be these days. Here’s why.
First, everyone doesn’t need to know everything about you. If everyone knew everything about you then there’d be no mystery. Getting to know you should be a privilege reserved for those who have shown you they can be trusted. Second, everyone is not your friend. I don’t care how many people smile in your face, compliment you, or how many social media friend and follower requests you receive. Some people are just nosy and want to be in your business, low-key hating on you, don’t sincerely like you, and are masking their real feelings behind being fake. If you pay close attention, you’ll figure out who these people are. Trust me. There will always be people who seem cool on the surface, who can and will try to play you, stab you in the back, and betray your trust if given the opportunity. I’ve experienced this with shady coworkers, unsafe family members, and disloyal friends, which is why I’m selective about who I open up to and who I let into my life. You've got to be careful. If you get any weird vibes about someone trying to connect with you, or they start acting quiet, distant, or funny after initially appearing welcoming and friendly, trust your instincts and keep them at bay. Finally, certain parts of your life should just be reserved for you. There have been things, good and bad, that I’ve experienced and gone through privately that I wouldn’t dare reveal to just any and everyone. It’s not that everything that happens is a major secret. It’s just that some moments are better kept private as opposed to being shared openly. Ultimately, what you choose to share and not share is up to you. Just know that discretion is always an option too.