How to keep a secret

The telling and keeping of secrets often defines who our casual, close or best friends are, as trust is an essential component of intimacy. If a friend tells you a secret, see it as a chance to improve your relationship with them and show how much they mean to you, thus you will, probably, be able to reinforce bonds with dear and close people.
Having a secret sends us into a childlike state where there’s no logic, only compulsion. As with all compulsions, the urge to tell is temporary. Each time you feel tempted to spill, resist for 24 hours, and the impulse will pass. The good feeling you’ll get from holding back will outweigh the short-lived rush of telling, and this can also work to curb other compulsions.



Another thing which may help is to offload on paper. If a secret is weighing you down, lessen the burden by writing it in a journal. This way, the page becomes the holder of the secret instead of you, which can help you to detach emotionally. Just don’t leave it where it can be found.
Sometimes happy news often calls for discretion too. A job promotion or pregnancy is something a friend will want to reveal herself. Pipping them to the post by announcing their news first can spoil their excitement. Let your friends tell their own good news, no matter how proud you are of them.

What are Your personal ways to keep secrets? And is it good to have secrets at all?