What's a fact about you that no one knows?

[star674]

I'll start...

I have a weird phobia of buttons and freak out every time I see one

Exactly this.

My aunt blamed me when my mum died.

My lovely mum had changes in her breast and confided in me. I told her (kindly) to make a GP appointment by the end of the week or I would tell my dad and her sister. She didn't want them to know and I genuinely thought it was nothing to worry about. I was 20 and home from uni when we had the conversation, I didn't know how long she'd had these symptoms. She made the GP appointment the next day but it was terminal breast cancer by the time she was diagnosed. When my aunt found out at her funeral that I knew about her symptoms she told me it was my fault that she was diagnosed late and that she died, that I should have told them when I found out. I loved my aunt and it broke my heart that she blamed me. I live with that guilt every day.

Secret writer. Whole families of folks in my head that no friends or family know about. Never at a loose end on long journeys or in a waiting room.

I have a phobia which would make me socially unacceptable if I told anyone about it. So I just have to grin and bear it - I spend a lot of time feeling panicky and sick. It was a long time before I realised it wasn't the reaction everyone had.

I’ve never forgotten how beautifully you wrote about your DH tunnocks. I’m sorry your friends are crap about letting you talk xx

I hear you. I feel the same

@7eleven
Thanks yes, it’s now undetectable and I am well

I have an odd compulsion.

Whenever I visit anyone in their home, I am compelled to open and close every cupboard and drawer in their kitchen. Until I've done so, I feel uneasy.

I don't even take any notice of what is inside the cupboards/drawers, it's the action of opening/closing that fills the compulsion and allows me to settle.

A second thing about me is I know too much. No, really, I do.

I am the keeper of sooooo many peoples secrets - family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, strangers. They just blurt stuff out at me. Sometimes they don't even seek advice, they just want to tell someone.

I’m terrified of escalators, I don’t know why but I just can’t bring myself to go on one. They petrify me and it’s only gotten worse as I get older.

The smell of brillo pads gives me nightmares.
It started as a child, no idea why, but if Mum used one at all during the day and I was able to smell it, I would have a nasty nightmare that night. Still happens.

I’m so sorry to read this, it wasn’t your fault, I hope you know that …

Oh honey no. No, no no.
Not your fault at all.
Please don't feel any guilt x

I seem to count in my head a lot, ie if I'm getting things out of the washing machine, I'll count the things as I take them out.

I'll count the amount of stairs I'm walking up and count how long it takes me to do things!

I’ve been doing this since I was 4! Have about 5 scenarios at any one time. I love a good walk so I can call back into them. It’s also how I get to sleep every night.
Would echo the escalators one. My dad told me there was a crocodile in the gap at the end of an escalator and I always do feel nervous getting on and off them now.

I can't stand feathers. The thought of them grosses me out.

Terrified of fire! Like almost failed high school science cause I couldn't light the Bunsen burner. Have never cooked on a stove, have just started sitting by the camp fire.... Then again my dad did almost burn down the house when i was little

I can't stand wearing both earphones in public because I start overthinking how loudly I'm breathing. Terrified everyone's staring at me and I'm breathing like a massive pervert

I would be a good widow. I love my DH and am not wishing for his death, but I would be fine- financially and emotionally. I’m a very self-contained person who loves being alone and is always certain in my decision- making. Marital compromise has been a massive effort on my part.

I wouldn’t go crazy spending money but I would buy the type of house I want, get Miele appliances, have all family photos professionally framed and buy a ridiculously comfortable massaging recliner chair.

I would take the kids on the type of holidays that DH won’t do because of his obesity- glamping, skiing, hiking etc.

Trypophobia.

I have an obsession with a particular sewing cotton, I have probably over two hundred reels. My family just think I’m obsessed with sewing, I go to an antique place and there a lady there who sells sewing related stuff, I don’t think she’s sussed me yet (ie I only buy one brand), and get very excited to find those particular reels. On the plus side I do actually use them but hate it when they run out.

I also have a secret cupboard in the garage that has chocolate and biscuits and I go in there and eat it when everyone thinks I’m rummaging the freezer.

I hate kissing my husband, & have never enjoyed sleeping with him. He's an awful kisser and it makes me gag. I really miss kissing. Sometimes I wish I would have kept him as my best friend.

@star674 me too! Also open staircases.

Liz Truss and I have a mutual ex boyfriend. Except I told some people after a drunken lunch the other day, so that probably doesn’t count.

Yes!!!!

I'm autistic but also have ADHD which makes me present as quite extrovert, chatty and sociable. But it's EXHAUSTING.

I am so much happy just mooching around my house and garden. I feel utterly awful admitting this but lockdown was the most peaceful time I've ever had in my life - no pressure to do anything or go anywhere.

We haven't really started going back out or doing too much, but I feel/get a lot of pressure to do so, plus there's the judgement. When I wasn't expected/allowed to go places, I could chill in peace without fear of criticism!

I am an introvert. I've taught myself to behave like an extrovert at work and in social gatherings but I get headaches after a full day of meetings and all I want is to stare into a blank wall for an hour at the end of the day.

I really struggle to talk to people on the phone. Like anybody. When my phone rings I often ignore it then spend ages wondering why that person was calling.