14 Wise Reasons To Keep Your Relationship Private Not Secret - Olubunmi Mabel (2023)

You’ve probably heard the maxim, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

But what about relationships?

Should you keep your relationship private not secret?

Relationships are hard.

They take work and dedication, but they’re worth it.

When you find the right person, you want to shout it from the rooftops and tell everyone about it.

But sometimes, you may want to keep things on the down low for a little while longer.

“Keeping it private” means you’re not talking about your relationship with others (except for a few trusted people) unless you feel like it.

Secret means nobody knows about it, but private means that some people know about it but don’t comment on it.

Keeping your relationship private, not a secret, is a choice that comes from knowing yourself and your partner well enough to know what’s right for you — and it’s not for everyone.

Here are some reasons why keeping your relationship private, not secret, can benefit you and your partner:

  1. You don’t have to justify your relationship to anyone

One of the great things about keeping your relationship private is that you don’t have to explain or justify it to anyone else.

You’re not obligated to share details about your relationship with every friend, family, or co-worker unless you want to.

You can simply enjoy the time you spend with your partner without having to explain yourselves to others.

This can be a liberating feeling, especially if you’ve been in relationships where you felt like you had to defend your choices constantly.

2. You can avoid unwanted advice

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If you’re not sharing details about your relationship with others, you can avoid unsolicited (and often unwanted) advice from well-meaning friends and family members.

When you are in a relationship, it is natural for people to want to give you advice on how to make your relationship work.

But when you keep your relationship private, none of these people will get the chance.

While some of this advice is useful and even necessary, much of it isn’t.

It’s just plain rude, even if it comes from a friend or family member who doesn’t know the deets about your relationship.

There will always be people who think they know more than they do about relationships, so why give them ammunition?

3. You can keep the spark alive

Sharing too much about your relationship with others can make it feel like it’s not as special anymore.

When you keep things private, it can help to keep the spark alive.

Don’t get me wrong — being public about your love is great for building confidence, but keeping things private gives you a chance to be yourselves without judgment or pressure.

You can enjoy each other’s company without worrying about what others think of your relationship.

You can go out on dates without having to check in with friends or family every five minutes.

And you can relax at home without worrying if anyone is at the door waiting for an update on how your date went.

4. You don’t have to put up with nosy questions

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If you’re not sharing details about your relationship, you don’t have to put up with nosy questions from others.

This can be a relief, especially if you’re in a new relationship and are still getting to know each other.

It’s normal for people to ask questions just to satisfy their curiosity.

For example, they may want to know how long you’ve been dating and if it’s serious.

They might even ask when you are getting married or having kids.

These kinds of questions can be annoying and intrusive, so keeping your relationship private can help avoid this kind of awkwardness.

5. You don’t have to worry about people judging you

People always judge others without even realizing they are doing so — especially regarding relationships.

When people know they are being judged for something, they often change their behavior to avoid being judged negatively.

In fact, many people try desperately to conform to social norms because they fear judgment from others, even if those judgments aren’t fair or accurate in any way.

So, the more people know about your relationship, the more likely they will comment on it — even if they do so positively.

This can put pressure on you and your partner and make things stressful for you.

You won’t have this problem if your relationship remains private because only a few chosen people know about it.

6. You get to keep some things just between the two of you

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Keeping your relationship private means you don’t have to share every little detail with others.

This can be a good thing, as it allows you to keep some things between you and your partner that are special and personal.

Maybe there’s an inside joke or a special way your partner always smiles at you that doesn’t need to be shared with everyone else for it to matter.

Keeping things quiet allows these kinds of little moments to stay just between the two of you.

7. You’re not worried about keeping up with other couples because your relationship doesn’t need to compete with others’ relationships.

There’s a lot of pressure these days to keep up with other couples.

Whether it’s posting ”The Perfect Couple” selfies on social media or bragging about your latest romantic getaway, it can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that your relationship needs to measure up to others.

But when you keep your relationship private, you’re not worried about impressing anyone or comparing your relationship to others.

You’re focused on what works for you and your partner.

8. You can avoid unnecessary drama

There will always be people who disapprove of a new love interest and try to stir up trouble for no reason other than their selfishness and jealousy.

You can avoid this drama and every other one by keeping your relationship private.

9. You’re focused on building a happy, healthy relationship for you two, not for the approval of others

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When you keep your relationship private, you can focus on building a happy, healthy relationship for you two rather than seeking the approval of others.

You’re working on your relationship because it’s important to you, not because it’s “cool.”

You don’t care how other people feel about your relationship.

You’re not trying to impress others with your relationship.

The conversations between you two are honest and open.

You talk about whatever is on your mind without worrying about what other people think or say.

You can focus on being good partners rather than being a good boyfriend/girlfriend in name only.

You can discuss important issues without concern that they’ll get back to other people or get out into the world somehow (like on social media).

10. You can protect each other’s privacy

If you’re in a relationship with someone who is private themselves, keeping things on the down low can be a way to respect their wishes and protect their privacy.

In fact, you’re able to protect each other’s privacy.

You can share intimate details and secrets without worrying about them becoming public knowledge.

You can also avoid the unwanted scrutiny of friends, family, and strangers.

As a result, you can feel closer to each other and experience a deeper level of intimacy.

11. Your relationship problems are not for public consumption

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Keeping your relationship private can also help to prevent arguments and disagreements from becoming public knowledge.

You can work through problems without worrying about outside opinions or interference.

This helps you to maintain a stronger, healthier relationship.

I’ve always believed that many relationships and marriages would still be going strong if there wasn’t public interference.

So if you want to strengthen your bond with your partner, keeping your relationship private is a great way to do it.

12. It helps to build trust

Keeping your relationship private can help to build trust between you and your partner.

Not constantly sharing every detail with everyone you know shows that you’re willing to keep certain things between the two of you.

As a result, your partner will know that they can trust you to be discreet about the intimate details of your relationship.

13. People will respect the boundaries you set up

When you keep your relationship private, you get to decide who knows about it and when, and also what to disclose.

This can be a great way to manage expectations and protect your privacy.

You can also set boundaries with friends and family members who may want to know more than you’re comfortable sharing.

If people respect the boundaries you set, it can create a more supportive environment for your relationship.

14. You don’t have to worry about breaking up

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When you keep your relationship private, you won’t have to face all of the questions and speculation that will come with a public breakup. So you decide to keep your relationship private.

This way, you can enjoy your time together without worrying about the future.

If things do eventually come to an end, it will be much easier to deal with in private.

You won’t have to face the same level of scrutiny or judgment from friends, family, and the general public.

So if you’re looking for a little peace of mind, keeping your relationship private may be your best option.

Keeping your relationship private might not always be easy if you’re with someone who likes to share their personal details online, but it can still be done.

And when done correctly, it’s sometimes better than revealing everything up front.

Of course, there are also some downsides to keeping your relationship private, not secret.

For example, you may miss out on some support from friends and family members if you’re not sharing details about your relationship with them.

You may have to deal with more nosy questions from people curious about what’s going on in your love life.

There’s no escaping nosy people eh?

Ultimately, whether or not to keep your relationship private is up to you and your partner.

If you’re both comfortable with keeping things between the two of you and a few trusted people, then there’s no reason to change that.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you and your partner are happy with how things are.

Your relationship is your business.

It’s personal, intimate, and no one else’s business.

Just so you know, I kept my relationship private until a week before we got married, and I’m glad I did.

Even as a married person, I heavily filter what I share with people and on social media.

It helps, trust me.

14 Wise Reasons To Keep Your Relationship Private Not Secret - Olubunmi Mabel (7)

FAQs

What does it mean to keep a relationship private but not a secret? ›

It's called being "private but not secret," and it's the exact opposite of power PDA. People in these relationships don't hide the fact that they're in a relationship, but they also aren't outwardly flaunting it, either.

Is it good to keep your relationship private? ›

Privacy is a basic right

Privacy in relationships, at its very core, is a fundamental right. You and your partner have the right to keep certain aspects of yourself and your relationships private. Keeping certain things private shows respect for your partner and helps the two of you to develop trust.

How do you keep a relationship private but not secret? ›

5 Ways To Keep Your Relatinship Private
  1. Share what's required on the internet. ...
  2. Don't leak intimate details. ...
  3. Keep your social media accounts private. ...
  4. Avoid indulging in PDAs. ...
  5. Steer clear of a few things with friends.
Mar 7, 2022

What does a private relationship mean? ›

What is a Private Relationship? A private relationship is a more exclusive form of relationship where two people are committed to one another. The only people who know about their relationship are those close to them and they usually don't talk about it with others.

What is pocketing in a relationship? ›

Stashing—sometimes referred to as pocketing—is when one person in a relationship makes the conscious decision to hide the other person from his or her inner circle, and yes, that includes both in real life and on social media.

Why you shouldn't keep your relationship a secret? ›

Keeping a relationship secret can have the same effects as hiding any other part of who you are — it can make you feel anxious, isolated, insecure or jealous. That's not how a healthy relationship should make you feel.

What is the 3 month rule? ›

Three-Month Rule: After a Break-Up

Basically, after a break-up, the three-month rule is a rule that says you and your ex are both given 3 months before entering the dating scene again. Just waiting it out, and mourning that your relationship ended. Just go on with your individual separate lives and see what happens.

Why would a guy keep a relationship private? ›

Some people like to keep a relationship private when they're not sure where it's going. Still, others want to keep a relationship secret because they are also involved with another person, or not completely over their previous relationship.

What should you keep private in a relationship? ›

In general, the following matters should not be discussed outside the relationship: Financial problems that you and/or your spouse are having. Details of your sex life. Family issues the two of you are experiencing.

Do you have to tell all your secrets to your partner? ›

Keeping Secrets and the Right to Privacy

It is important to remember that you do not have to share everything with another person in a relationship. Some things to remember in any relationship: You have the right to privacy in any relationship, including with your spouse, partner, and family.

When should you go public with a relationship? ›

Until and unless you're sure about your partner, you should definitely hold back from sharing your relationship status online. You must ask yourself if you're serious about it or not. Young couples are indecisive and generally impulsive, which makes them go on and off in a relationship.

What is a low key relationship? ›

A low-key relationship means the couple doesn't appreciate displaying their relationship publicly, except in the presence of close friends and family members. Meanwhile, many people have trouble categorizing their relationship as either a private or secret relationship. Simple!

What are the 3 types of relationship? ›

There are many different types of relationships. This section focuses on four types of relationships: Family relationships, Friendships, Acquaintanceships and Romantic relationships.

What is difference between private and secret? ›

Let's use these working definitions: Secret: information intentionally withheld for the purpose of avoiding consequences. Private: information intentionally withheld for the purpose of creating safety or protection of self or others.

What is a backburner relationship? ›

According to the study, a back-burner is “a person to whom one is not presently committed, and with whom one maintains some degree of communication in order to keep or establish the possibility of future romantic and/or sexual involvement”.

What is Breadcrumbing in dating? ›

Breadcrumbing is the act of sending out flirtatious, but non-committal social signals (i.e. "breadcrumbs") in order to lure a romantic partner in without expending much effort. In other words, it's leading someone on.

What is bulldozing in a relationship? ›

'Bulldozers are people whose aggressive behaviour often intimidates you, the person you wish you could stand up to but feel you haven't got the confidence or the know-how to deal with. People who behave in this punchy, aggressive way are out to get their own way regardless of what other people think, do or say.

How secrets destroy relationships? ›

It makes you constrict, put up walls, and want to pull away. Secrets lead to hiding, holding back, and defensiveness. We disconnect to prevent our secret from being discovered. Plus, over time, secrets wear away at our own mental and physical health and diminish our ability to be close and connected.

What destroys most relationships? ›

Here's the No. 1 thing that 'destroys' relationships, say researchers who studied couples for 50 years. As a psychologist and sexologist, we've been studying relationships for more than 50 years combined, and we've found that no matter how you slice it, most of them fail because of poor communication.

Is keeping a relationship secret a red flag? ›

Too much secrecy can be a red flag because the actions being kept secret can often be dangerous, illegal, disloyal, and/or abusive. Be advised though, there is a BIG difference between secrecy and privacy. We deserve to have some “me time” and we deserve to have time to take care of ourselves on our own terms.

What is the 90 days rule in a relationship? ›

What Is the 90-Day Rule for Dating and Why Does It Matter? The 90-day dating rule suggests waiting 90 days after you start dating someone to have sex with them. Both men and women can follow the 90-day dating rule as it's intended to help develop close and long-lasting relationships.

What is the relationship 2 2 2 rule? ›

So what is it? The 2-2-2 Rule involves going on a date night every two weeks, spending a weekend away every two months and taking a week-long vacation away every two years. The idea behind it is that prioritizing and planning to spend time together strengthens your relationship.

What is the 90 days rule? ›

The 90-day rule states that temporary visa holders who marry or apply for a green card within 90 days of arriving in the United States are automatically presumed to have misrepresented their original intentions.

What defines a situationship? ›

A situationship is an uncommitted, undefined romantic relationship between two people—meaning that those in this type of relationship have not established what they are to each other. While it may share some similarities with a friends-with-benefits relationship, the two terms do not mean the same thing.

Why am I pocketing my partner? ›

“People often pocket their partner because they've had bad experiences before, [or] they're insecure about the 'quality' of their social circle,” she says as examples. Understandable, sure, but still doesn't make the impact of their actions (or lack thereof) hurtful to you.

How do you know if he's only in love with you? ›

We have made it easier for you as we give you a list of 10 undeniable signs that he loves you deeply:
  • He protects you.
  • You are his priority.
  • He wants you to be happy.
  • He supports your dreams.
  • He shows up when you need help.
  • He tries to make you feel better.
  • He is making plans for your future.

What are the 3 things to keep private in life? ›

7 Things You Should Always Keep Private
  • Your Personal Secrets. ...
  • Other People's Secrets. ...
  • Your family problems. ...
  • Your relationship issues. ...
  • Your income/financial situation. ...
  • Your fears and weaknesses. ...
  • Your dreams and goals. ...
  • 7 Signs of Self-Sabotage.
Jan 15, 2022

What is the most intimate thing in a relationship? ›

e.g. kissing, cuddling, or holding hands. Holding hands especially can become the most intimate act of love. By holding hands you can harmonize your energy systems and become one.

What not to share with your partner? ›

12 Things You Should Never Share With Your Partner
  • Your toothbrushes. ...
  • Your beauty routine. ...
  • Your password. ...
  • Your bedpost notches. ...
  • Your feelings about his Mum. ...
  • Your bank statements. ...
  • Your friends' misbehaviour. ...
  • Photos of holidays with exes.
Aug 26, 2016

What is the secret of a good wife? ›

Caring and compassionate

A good wife exhibits both care and compassion. She is sensitive to the family's needs, and does her best to provide a solution. She understands when her husband is frustrated, and tries to make him happy. Her caring disposition makes sure the family does not lack in any aspect of life.

How much of your past should you reveal to your partner? ›

While your potential love interest needs to know about your past relationships to understand you better, you shouldn't share too much too soon. If you're still in the early stages of a relationship, bite your tongue and see where the relationship goes first. Take time to build trust and get to know your partner.

What is the right to privacy between husband and wife? ›

The spousal communications privilege applies in civil and criminal cases. It shields communications made in confidence during a valid marriage. The purpose of the privilege is to provide assurance that all private statements between spouses will be free from public exposure.

How long is normal before saying I love you? ›

Men often think about expressing feelings of love first. On average, it took them 97.3 days to consider saying “I love you,” while it took women just about 138 days to consider saying the words. Men didn't just think about confessing before women. They were also more likely to say “I love you” first.

What's the best age to get into a serious relationship? ›

At what age do girls want a serious relationship? That's right - the research found that the average woman finds their life partner at the age of 25, while for men, they're more likely to find their soulmate at 28.

What are red flags in dating? ›

A dating red flag is a warning sign that appears during a date that could indicate a problem, miscommunication, or challenge in the future. Examples of dating red flags are: Talking only about themselves, avoiding difficult conversations, gossiping about their ex, and withholding affection..

What are the 4 C's of a good relationship? ›

You need the 4 C's: Communication, Collaboration, Consideration, and Compatibility. Yet as with many things that are simple, they're not always easy! Let's look at how they work to help build a relationship.

What are signs of a weak relationship? ›

All the same, you could notice some of these signs in yourself, your partner, or the relationship itself.
  • Lack of support. ...
  • Toxic communication. ...
  • Envy or jealousy. ...
  • Controlling behaviors. ...
  • Resentment. ...
  • Dishonesty. ...
  • Patterns of disrespect. ...
  • Negative financial behaviors.

What are the 3 C's in a relationship? ›

Relationship dynamics will go up and down based on communication, compromise and commitment, the 3C's.

What are the signs of true love? ›

You can usually recognize real love by these 12 signs.
  • You feel safe with them. ...
  • They listen. ...
  • They acknowledge your differences instead of trying to change you. ...
  • You can communicate easily. ...
  • They encourage you to do your own thing. ...
  • You trust each other. ...
  • They make an effort. ...
  • You know you can collaborate or compromise.
Oct 27, 2020

What are the 3 soulmates theory? ›

Three love theory is centred around the idea that over the course of our lifetime, we will fall head-over-heels in love three times. As we progress through each 'love', we grow, evolve and inevitably get our hearts broken; that is, until we land on our third 'love', who some might consider 'the one'.

What are the 3 rules of the secret? ›

Here's the essence of The Secret book in 3 lessons: The law of attraction is one of the most prevalent principles in the world. To use the law of attraction, you must think about what you want, not what you want to avoid. The three steps of the law of attraction are asking, believing, and receiving.

What are the three types of secrets? ›

There are three kinds of secrets: natural, promised, and entrusted. This is a broad division and various subdivisions might be introduced under each class. But these subdivisions have no particular moral relevance except under the third class of entrusted secrets.

Is it okay to keep your relationship private? ›

Keeping your relationship private is a personal decision that needs to be mutual. But no matter what you and your partner share or don't share, the only thing that matters is that you both genuinely value each other more than the opinions of other people.

What are the disadvantages of being a private person? ›

Here are seven disadvantages to introversion:
  • Introverts often get labeled as weird or snobbish. ...
  • Introverts don't always get the party invitation. ...
  • Introverts have a harder time standing out on social media. ...
  • Introverts can get overlooked. ...
  • Introverts can struggle to expand their networks.
May 7, 2015

Why some people are so private? ›

The privacy works to their personal defense and advantage. Meaning, they say they are private as a warning to others to not ask any personal questions or delve into their inner thoughts or space. The main reason they say this is because they don't want to be found out. They don't want to be discovered.

Why is it important to be a private person? ›

Having boundaries makes you a magnet for mutual and healthy relationships with connected people who are capable of love, honesty, respect, and loyalty. Being a private person also slays paranoia. You're no longer worried about who knows what story.

What is the difference between secret and private? ›

You can draw a line between secrecy and privacy by considering secrecy as an intention to hold specific information back, and privacy as a reflection of how much you broadcast personal information, in general. People who are more private require closeness before they let you in.

What is the difference between privacy and secrecy in a relationship? ›

Privacy refers to your personal boundaries about your history, thoughts, opinions, and experiences separate from your partner and relationship. Secrecy, on the other hand, involves something that you are intentionally hiding from your partner.

What is a public but private relationship? ›

Meaning, that it's not a secret that you are in a relationship but instead keeping the intimate details of the relationship private and keeping the opinions of others out.

What are the 3 C's to a healthy relationship? ›

Difficult Relationships and the Three C's that Fix Them
  • Communicate. Communication is one of the most important aspects of any relationship, especially a romantic relationship. ...
  • Compromise. This suggestion, in some ways, relates to the last. ...
  • Commit.

How secrets can destroy a relationship? ›

It makes you constrict, put up walls, and want to pull away. Secrets lead to hiding, holding back, and defensiveness. We disconnect to prevent our secret from being discovered. Plus, over time, secrets wear away at our own mental and physical health and diminish our ability to be close and connected.

Is secrecy a red flag? ›

Too much secrecy can be a red flag because the actions being kept secret can often be dangerous, illegal, disloyal, and/or abusive. Be advised though, there is a BIG difference between secrecy and privacy. We deserve to have some “me time” and we deserve to have time to take care of ourselves on our own terms.

Why do couples want privacy? ›

As previously mentioned, privacy in a relationship shows respect because it indicates that you and your partner are respecting boundaries. For this reason, it is important to have some privacy in a relationship. In fact, every person needs social boundaries, as well as time alone.

What is it called when couples do stuff in public? ›

Public displays of affection (PDA) are acts of physical intimacy in the view of others.

Should my relationship be public? ›

Until and unless you're sure about your partner, you should definitely hold back from sharing your relationship status online. You must ask yourself if you're serious about it or not. Young couples are indecisive and generally impulsive, which makes them go on and off in a relationship.

What is the biggest red flag in a guy? ›

13 red flags in a relationship to look out for
  • Narcissism. ...
  • Anger management issues. ...
  • Codependency. ...
  • Inability to resolve conflict. ...
  • Constant jealousy. ...
  • Gaslighting. ...
  • Lack of emotional intelligence. ...
  • Negatively affecting your relationship with family and friends.
Feb 1, 2022

When should you call it quits in a relationship? ›

If you're not being satisfied emotionally, sexually or intellectually, it's probably time to move on. Ending a relationship is hard, but it's sometimes the only correct thing to do. If you and your partner aren't connecting on the most fundamental levels, it will be best for both of you to move on.

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