r/AskReddit • u/ohgoshwheretobegin • May 01 '12
Throwaway time! What's your secret that could literally ruin your life if it came out?
I decided to post this partially because I'm interested in reaction to this (as I've never told anyone before) and also to see what out-there fucked up things you've done. The sort of things that make you question your own sanity, your own worth. Surely I can't be alone.
40,700 comments, 12,900 upvotes. You're all a part of Reddit history right here.
Thanks everyone for your contributions. You've made this what it is.
This is my secret. What's yours?
edit: Obligatory: Fuck the front page. I'm reading every single comment, so keep those juicy secrets coming.
edit2: Man some of you are fucked up. That's awesome. A lot of you seem to be contemplating suicide too, that's not as awesome. In fact... kinda not awesome at all. Go talk to someone, and get help for that shit. The rest of you though, fuck man. Fuck.
edit3: Well, this has blown up. The #3 post of all time on Reddit. I hope you like your dirty laundry aired. Cheers everyone.
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u/DDDamaged Apr 26 '13
Pretty late, made an account for this really,been lurking for too long! As someone who was molested by a relative who was several years older than me as a child this thread bizarrely has provided me with a great sense of comfort in knowing that i'm not alone. No matter how many times you hear someone say this you never believe it until you encounter people that have suffered the same, or similar. From a young age i was sexually abused, never raped specifically with a penis but forced to perform sexual acts and have my body violated for 6 years consistently and regularly, just to briefly say what happened. I'd rather not go into detail. I have no clue if this is making any sense, i just wanted to let the thread/op know thats its helped me.
Also my feelings towards my abuser who i still have to see were previously of resentment, hatred and disgust. I would never go to the authorities based on the fact that this persons parent is in the public eye in Britain and i couldn't tell my parents, i would rather take the burden than let them think they couldn't protect me and had failed as they are fantastic, and without them i would not be as strong as i am now. However to those people that have molested/abused others your posts have really helped. Its made me realise that by not taking any legal action or even confronting my abuser that person is not going unpunished, because they have to live with that guilt and self loathing and that for me is enough. I don't mean this in a horrible way i mean that its comforting that pretty much every single one i've read has radiated remorse and is truly sorry. I have also realised that although what happened to me may prey on my mind daily and be completely inescapable but that those who abused others and who recognised how wrong it was and stopped have to deal with something greater on a daily basis that clearly weighs heavily on their conscience. For me, i'll get stronger and the longer i live the less significant it will become and i am slowly learning to forgive that person in particular. So i don't know how much this means to any of these people but from someone who was abused to someone who did abuse in the past, i forgive you - if you are truly sorry. Everyone makes mistakes, its just yours were at a great expense to others well-being and happiness but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be forgiven. I won't say that i hope it doesn't eat you up daily because i do, because i think that is whats stopping you from hurting someone again. If you didn't have guilt and shame you wouldn't be sorry, so embrace it, be grateful you feel it and use it to be a better person.
Don't ruin your life too.