Your deepest secrets (5)

Are you the person that everyone tells their secrets to, or are you always the last to find out?

Your deepest secrets (4)

What big, guilty secret did your family share when you were growing up? Do you still carry shame associated with your family's secrets?

Your deepest secrets (3)

Do you worry about people thinking less of you if they found out your secrets? Are you concerned that some of your secrets could impact your job or your relationships?

Your deepest secrets (2)

Do you keep more secrets now, or did you keep more secrets when you were much younger? What's changed over time in your situation, or in your attitude about keeping things secret?

Your deepest secrets (1)

What are a few of your biggest secrets? Are they things that nobody knows, or things that everybody knows but no one talks about?

Your favorite things (4)

What is one of your favorites that you're slightly embarrassed by — something you still love even if it might be unpopular or out of fashion? 

Your favorite things (2)

What is one favorite thing that you learned about only by accident?  Do you tend to cherish things more if they're not well known, like a secret that you happened to get in on?

Being genuine and faking it (5)

What are some examples where you might be "faking it" more than necessary — where there might be room for more of your genuine self?  Tip: If you can't come up with examples for yourself, think about times when you've noticed other people putting in excessive or unnecessary effort to cover up their real selves.

Being genuine and faking it (2)

Contact lenses hide the fact that your eyes need correction. Does that make them less open and honest than eyeglassses?  What are some similarly hidden forms of assistance that help you function and succeed in life?  Do any of those things stretch ethical boundaries or come close to actual deception? 

Things that can't be seen (3)

If a friend loses weight, that's a healthy change that is easy to see.  If they stop smoking, that might be just as significant an improvement, but it doesn't show up in photographs.  What's an example of the latter kind of change, either in yourself or someone else — an improvement that makes a real difference, but can't necessarily be seen at a glance?

Things that can't be seen (2)

Sometimes don't need anyone to say "thank you"; you just want to make sure things work out well. What are some things that you do, quietly or even secretly, to help out your community, your employer, or the people around you?

Stale secrets

Many years ago, your family, or perhaps a close friend, tried to keep something hushed up because it was scandalous or sensitive at the time.  Now, years later, it's hard to remember why it ever seemed important, and no one even thinks about it anymore.  What was this private embarrassment that faded into obscurity? 

This week's theme is your forgotten side.

Your forgotten side

We all have hidden potential — invisible aspects of ourselves that lie dormant. Your forgotten capabilities can suddenly blossom when you come to a place or a relationship where they are made welcome.  What examples can you think of in your own life?  Do you know a language that no one around you speaks?  Is there a game you would want to play if only you had friends who were interested? 

This week's theme is your forgotten side.

Tell us a story: the art of concealment

Tell us about a time when you had to try to hide something large or obvious from someone who wasn't supposed to know about it (such as, for example, a surprise gift).  What was it that you needed to hide?  What did you do to try to disguise it or distract attention away from it?  Were your efforts successful?

Secret cleaning agent

What are the cleaning experiences that you've never told anyone about? Are there things that you clean in secret, when no one else is looking? Or do you have a cleaning secret, your own clever technique that makes cleaning up easier?

This week's theme is dirty and clean.

Onstage and backstage

In your public face, the self you present to the world, what important parts of your identity get left out? What are some things about you that might come as surprises for people who get to know you better?

This week's theme is the public realm.

The public realm

How much of your life is public and how much is private? Do you draw a clear line between your public and private life?

What are some things you do, or did in the past, that put you in an official role representing a business or organization?

This week's theme is the public realm.

Health talk

Do you talk openly with your family and friends about your health issues, or is it a subject that you prefer to keep private as much as possible?

This week's theme is health.

...and I also speak Japanese

What is one skill that you learned and mastered in school, but that you rarely get a chance to use?

This week's theme is hidden strengths.

Tell us a story: that thing about my mother

Tell us a story about why and how your mother came to have some trait or characteristic you associate with her. You may know this information from stories you heard (or read) secondhand, but don't worry too much whether your answer is fact or conjecture. What do you think happened in her younger years that helped shape her personality or world view?