Secrets about "YOU" that no one will ever know

Each one of us holds secrets that are exclusive to ourselves. Throughout our lifetime, we possess distinct qualities, thoughts, and emotions that no one else can ever fully comprehend. Similar to a locked box of secrets, the universe within our mind is a phenomenon that remains concealed from others until the end of time. Certain things are never revealed, never confessed, and never spoken aloud, existing only as a hidden component of the cosmos.

This concept is undeniably captivating. The thought of possessing a unique set of secrets and experiencing a connection with the universe is profoundly beautiful. However, it can also be isolating to keep these secrets locked away, never to be shared or understood by anyone else.

There are aspects of our thoughts and emotions that are so private that we never disclose them to others, nor will they ever be consoled or understood by anyone else. These thoughts and feelings can be too peculiar or disconcerting to share, or they may be filtered into a vague, diluted version if we do express them. Our minds seem to be built with a sensitivity that craves acceptance and a positive image. This is not our fault, but rather an innate aspect of our minds.

Our skulls serve as a protective barrier for the vulnerable, exposed body within. Regardless of how open, confident, or straightforward we believe ourselves to be, there are still aspects of ourselves that remain unknown to others, such as thoughts and reactions that we may recoil from and push back into our unconscious mind. Even the things we do share are often not fully understood by others. Furthermore, there are things about ourselves that we do not understand, and even if we wanted to, we cannot share them with others.

It's impossible to fully express the complex and abstract experiences that occur within our minds. Even words like "weird," "anxious," "tired," or "sad" fall short of capturing the true kaleidoscope of our thoughts and feelings. Language is limited to representing things through symbols, but it can never fully convey what those things really are.

As humans, there may be aspects of our collective experience, feelings, or thoughts that we are unable to communicate to one another because we lack the appropriate words or methods to do so. It's fascinating to think about what we might not yet understand about ourselves as a species, given the limitations of language.

In his later years, Goethe, a prominent German writer and active member of society, expressed that he felt misunderstood and unable to fully comprehend others. He stated, "No one has ever properly understood me, I have never fully understood anyone, and no one understands anyone else."

Each of us is composed of distinct particles formed at different times and locations, traveling on unique paths through time and space. Nobody has or ever will experience the exact same physical journey through the universe as another.

We function as soul conductors on a train without passengers, leading to a sense of inherent existential loneliness. This background noise is something we all perceive, but it's uncertain whether others hear it too or if it's just a personal experience.

Ironically, the sensation of being disconnected and alone appears to unite us all. David Foster Wallace, in his book Infinite Jest, expressed this notion, writing that "Everybody is identical in their secret unspoken belief that way deep down they are different from everyone else." This statement resonates with many of us, as we often feel that others cannot fully comprehend how we feel.

Despite this commonality, however, loneliness is frequently viewed as an affliction unique to individuals who are typically deemed "lonely people": those who are ostracized by society or who choose to live in solitude. However, in reality, the only disparity between people is the level of loneliness they experience. While there are varying degrees of loneliness, in extreme cases where individuals are isolated or lack the social interaction they need, the consequences can be severe, leading to both physical and mental health problems.

Although loneliness may not be inevitable or impossible to overcome, it is a universal experience. Even the most socially active or content introverted individuals experience some degree of loneliness, which may increase over time.

According to Carl Jung, a road psychologist, loneliness does not arise from the absence of people, but from the inability to express oneself or hold certain views that others may find unacceptable. Therefore, loneliness is not just a matter of physical isolation but also stems from communication barriers and differing viewpoints.

Existential loneliness is a feeling that we all experience to some extent, leading to an inability to connect with others. Unfortunately, societal views on loneliness often amplify this sense of isolation, making us feel uniquely alone in our experiences. To combat this, we need to remind ourselves that the feeling of separateness is universal and connects us all.

Art and philosophy offer a source of inspiration to help us remember this fact. Literature, music, poetry, paintings, and other forms of artistic expression reveal that complex, hidden things exist within others, just as they do within ourselves. Even if not the exact same experiences, we share the same feelings of difficulty in expressing these experiences.

By creating and consuming art and philosophy, we can explore the abstract or taboo parts of ourselves that we may not yet have found the courage, people, or means to share with others. The secrets we reveal through writing, music, and art are often things that we could never express through other means, and yet they are understood and appreciated by others who share similar experiences.

While art and philosophy cannot completely resolve the dissonance between ourselves and the world, they do allow us to connect over the shared experience of isolation. Rather than creating a bridge between us and the world, they act as a vantage point from which we can observe others who are also feeling stranded and alone.

David Foster Wallace once remarked that literature is one of the few experiences that allow us to confront and relieve our loneliness. While drugs, parties, and action movies may temporarily distract us from our isolation, art, poetry, music, and religion offer a space where loneliness can be faced, transformed, and transcended. In many ways, these creative forms are all we have to counteract the feeling of loneliness.