Perhaps you've just been laid off or come out of a tumultuous relationship, or maybe you've lost someone dear to you.
Some people are hardly satisfied in just knowing why you've seen better days; they press you for more details despite your showing a desire to be left alone.
Why are they this way?
While some may be driven by a genuine yearning to comfort you, others may simply be nosy.
Make no mistake about it: Certain individuals are constantly comparing themselves to others although doing so -- unbeknownst to them, perhaps -- only makes them less happy in the end.
Sadly, some of these people take pleasure in other's misfortunes, and still others use it as fodder for gossip.
Thus the reason I always advise my readers not to disclose too much information to others. If it falls into the wrong hands, it can open a can of worms.
If you wish to keep something to yourself, there's nothing wrong with exercising discretion and politely saying, "Thanks for your concern, but it's a little personal."
It's perfectly normal to crave space after a potentially life-changing event, or even after we've had a lousy day.
People should honor your wishes. If they fail to do so, it signals that the individual cares little about respecting others' boundaries, and they may not be the kind of company you'd like to keep.
No matter how close you might be to someone, you're entitled to as much space as you desire. People should not take it personally. There will be a day and time, you can remind them, when you may be ready to spill the beans, but now is not that time.
In a world where everyone (or, almost everyone) tells everything, we should value privacy -- and refuse to allow anyone to invade ours.
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