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In my day, people wrote in diaries. I had several; I would finish one and start another and, curiously, whenever I finished a diary, I would burn it. It was so secret that I didn't even think anyone would dare read it - despite the lock and key. In the diaries I kept during my teenage years, I wrote down my thoughts, reflections, joys, and anxieties. There, I put everything that was on my mind, from the most logical to the most banal. It was a sacred space, shrouded in mystery. At that time, the diary was more than just a record of thoughts; its function went beyond introspection - it also symbolized a kind of emotional and intellectual autonomy. By writing in a diary, we were the owners of our narratives, free to explore ideas without the need for external validation. There was a sense of security in knowing that those thoughts were ours and ours alone.

Historical and literary figures such as Fernando Pessoa, Emily Dickinson or J.D. Salinger are examples of personalities who cultivated mystery throughout their lives. Pessoa, with his wide range of heteronyms, maintained a certain distance between his personal life and his work, deconstructing the idea of a single, transparent identity. Emily Dickinson, on the other hand, lived in seclusion, dedicating herself to writing poems that remained largely unknown during her lifetime, thus preserving her personal and creative mystery. J.D. Salinger, author of The Catcher in the Rye, withdrew from the public eye after the success of his book, protecting his private life from media scrutiny. These figures are a reminder that mystery is not only a personal choice, but also a way of preserving the integrity of one's work and identity. Today, this solitary act of writing seems to be losing ground to constant and immediate sharing on social networks, where privacy is diluted and control over what we reveal and hide is more fragile. Exposure, once feared, has become the norm, and the mystery of keeping our deepest secrets to ourselves seems to be dying out. If I had been told in the past that in the near future hiding our innermost feelings and thoughts from the world would be considered strange, I wouldn't have believed it. If privacy used to be a valuable asset, today it seems that the opposite has become the norm. Non-sharing has come to be viewed strangely, almost as if there were an obligation to expose every detail of our lives on social media. The aura of mystery that used to surround our deepest thoughts has been replaced by a constant desire for external validation. Psychologist Carolina de Freitas Nunes subscribes to this idea: “The pressure to share intimate details arises from the cultural normalization of exposure, where sharing is seen as a form of validation and social acceptance. From a technical point of view, this change in behavior is due to the fact that social networks are a vehicle that encourages this practice through immediate rewards (likes, followers), and online disinhibition makes it easier to share information that would previously have been private.” In October 2023, I decided to take a break from social media - specifically Instagram, as Facebook had been gone for some time. The idea was just to have a digital detox for a few weeks, one of many I had already done. Weeks passed, and then months, until eventually I had not looked at Instagram for almost a year. The truth is that the feeling of freedom I felt when I removed that app from my phone only made me want to postpone my “comeback” even longer. And it's not that I'm addicted to my phone, quite the opposite, but several months away from the networks have only brought me good things. Namely, time for introspection, the right to maintain a private existence and a certain mystery... And, let's face it, a certain amount of mystery is necessary in this life. After all, it's in that silent space that we reconnect with who we really are. Then there are the psychological issues.

Much has been written about the dark side of social media, but little seems to matter to people who don't take a step without revealing it to the world. “Constantly sharing information on social media can generate anxiety and stress. There is pressure to maintain an idealized image and the search for external validation. It also encourages social comparisons that can affect self-esteem,” observes Carolina de Freitas Nunes. “In terms of privacy and individuality, excessive exposure reduces the sense of security and can weaken personal identity, leading us to adapt who we are to the opinion of others. This creates emotional vulnerability and affects psychological well-being.” I question the importance of authenticity when sharing personal information: is there a fine line between being authentic and exposing too much? According to the psychologist, sharing personal information on the Internet should be done with caution, and authenticity plays an important role in this process. “Being authentic helps to create real connections, but it's essential to set clear boundaries to avoid over-exposure. The line between being genuine and exposing too much lies in consciously choosing what to share and what to keep private. Sharing too much can bring risks, such as loss of privacy and vulnerability to criticism. Maintaining authenticity, without revealing everything, is essential for protecting personal life and preserving emotional well-being.” Getting things off your chest is positive and brings benefits, but it doesn't have to be a cry to the four winds. “Keeping secrets or writing in a private diary has mental health benefits, helping with emotional processing, relieving stress and organizing thoughts,” says Carolina Nunes. In addition, “it fosters self-knowledge, promoting reflection and personal development. It also provides a safe space to express everyday concerns, reducing anxiety and offering a sense of emotional control by protecting intimacy,” she concludes. In addition to these benefits, the diary - better known today as journaling - can offer even more. Writing every day helps turn fuzzy thoughts into something concrete, bringing clarity and mental focus. By re-reading anti-gas entries, it is possible to identify patterns of behavior and emotions, promoting a deeper self-understanding. This practice also allows you to cultivate gratitude and reinforce a positive outlook on life, improving your general well-being.

The question that arises, regardless of all that we already know, is: even if we wanted to recover this mystery in our lives, could we still do it? We live in an age in which privacy increasingly seems like an unattainable luxury. Our every move is monitored, from the journeys we make to the data we generate online, such as our browsing history or interactions on social networks. The boundaries between public and private have become razor-thin. Even so, perhaps the mystery is not entirely lost - it may lie in what we choose to preserve, in what we choose not to expose. In an age of constant surveillance, the real challenge lies in defining our boundaries and keeping small areas of life away from the world's gaze. As the psychologist points out: “Mystery is still possible, even with the most limited privacy. To maintain it, it's important to be selective when sharing information online and to set boundaries between public and private. Keeping parts of your personal life off social media and valuing offline moments are effective ways of preserving intimacy. In addition, investing in real and meaningful relationships helps protect authenticity and mystery in life.” After all, perhaps the mystery lies not in closing ourselves off from the world, but in opening our eyes to what matters. As Fernando Pessoa wrote, “the only mystery is that there are people who think about the mystery”. Perhaps the answer lies in the simplicity of living, without the constant need to validate our existence publicly. Mystery, like sunlight, is worth more than all the thoughts and digital shares.

Originally translated from The Mystery Issue, published October 2024. Full credits and stories are in the print issue.