Keeping Your Own Counsel

The past year has been a year of losses and lessons -- musings and mistakes.

As social media becomes an integral part of our lives, it’s important to pay attention to how it affects our personhood and us. Despite the advantages of technology, there are still individuals behind the smart phones or computer screens whom very much have a soul. 

We mustn’t forget this. 

I used to post a lot of information about my life, including seeking advice from “friends” on Facebook. In hindsight this was very stupid. When I got together with these people in real life, I would have this awkward feeling and would mentally ask myself: “Why is this person asking me such personal questions? Do they even know me?”

Later still, another Facebook post led to some gossip that set off a chain of events that turned friends into enemies, and enemies into the-worst-people-in-the-world.

Because of this, I now keep my own counsel.

The Free Dictionary by Farlex defines this as to keep one's thoughts and plans to oneself; to withhold from other people one's thoughts and plans.

Initially this was tough, as I like to tell stories about my life. But as I started withholding, I noticed that I started worrying less and started trusting myself more. I felt OK with making mistakes, which in turn, removed my creative blocks. Finally, I felt like myself again and not the me that I felt I needed to be, in order to put others at ease.

Of course I have a couple of confidantes. But when all is said and done, I will trust my instincts and keep my own counsel.

Today, make it a goal to start keeping your own counsel.

Until next Monday…