Of course, it’s not always easy to open up. In Lori Foster’s Getting Rowdy, the third in her Love Undercover series, Avery Mullins and her boss Rowdy Yates are clearly attracted to each other. But something is holding Avery back from taking the relationship further, and it has nothing to do with Rowdy. Throughout this fast-paced romantic thriller, Avery alludes to a traumatic experience, and soon enough, Rowdy starts trying to piece the puzzle together. If Avery doesn’t reveal the truth, it could come back to haunt them both.
Lori Foster is giving away signed copies of “Getting Rowdy” to 10 YT readers. To enter, answer in the comments below: What kind of secrets do you hide from your partner?
Plus, YourTango asked real women “What’s the biggest skeleton in your closet?” Check out some of their shocking responses. Then, read on for expert tips on coming clean.
“I’m 32 and have slept with just two guys.” -Sarah V., 32
“I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was 17.” -Jane, 24
“I’m a young widow. My husband died in an accident when I was 30.” Mary, 34
“I’ve cheated in every relationship I’ve ever been in.” -Mackenzie W., 30.
“I can’t have kids.” -Lia, 37
“I’ve always been with more partners than the person I’m dating, so I refuse to share ‘my number’.” -Bailey, 28
“I used to be in an open relationship … and I never want to do that again!” -Shayla, 26
“In the last few years, I lost almost 80 pounds. I look great dressed, but feel self-conscious about loose skin once the clothes come off.” -Stephanie, 33
Now that others have come clean, it’s time to find out how to do it yourself! We asked YourTango Expert and psychotherapist Abby Rodman for advice on sharing baggage from your past with a new lover. Below are her four tips.
1) Don’t share on the first date.
“Big secrets in relationships just don’t work,” says YourTango Expert Abby Rodman, author of “Should You Marry Him?” “They put up walls and create distance between partners.” There’s no concrete rule about the right time to come clean. You want to avoid surprises, especially any that could harm your new romantic partner, but taking time to build trust is perfectly normal. Obviously, a person needs to know if you have an STD before you ever have sex. But no one needs to hear about your cheating ex on a first date.
2) Not every secret needs to be shared.
The good news: You aren’t required to tell your new partner everything. “I’m not sure we’d even want or expect that from our partners,” Rodman says. “Skeletons are, at their core, secrets — and sometimes they’re best left alone.” However, making ourselves vulnerable and confiding in others also builds relationships. Rodman suggests asking yourself these questions when deciding what to share with a new partner:
A. What is my high-level purpose in revealing this secret to my partner?
B. Does the quality/length of this relationship lend itself to my revelations?
C. Am I safe in knowing my partner will treat my confession with respect and love?
D. Am I going to do more good than harm in revealing this skeleton?
