If you’re one of the only people who still hasn’t heard about PostSecret, here’s where you can (and should) check it out – www.postsecret.com. BUT WAIT! Before you click on the link, you might want to finish this article, because reading people’s secrets is as addictive as eating cookies or watching episodes of your favorite TV show…. once you start, you can’t stop! Which is precisely the reason that Frank Warren, creator of PostSecret, knew this concept would turn out to be a big hit.
PostSecret is an ongoing community mail art project, where people from all walks of life anonymously mail in a secret of theirs on a homemade postcard. There are no rules or restrictions made on the content of the secret, only that it be a real secret that has never been spoken before. Each week, a selection of received postcards are posted on the PostSecret website.
The anonymity of these secrets is what makes the concept so brilliant and compelling. Admissions range from one’s secret desires, embarrassing facts about themselves, to hopes, dreams or just silly quirks. The website is updated every Sunday, and there are always at least a few secrets that you can directly relate to. Knowing that someone else out there has the same secret as you is comforting and empowering and has a healing effect on both the writer and reader, according to Warren.
PostSecret was reported as the 10th most popular site amongst female students in USA, according to Youth Trends in 2008. Due to the success of the site, Warren came out with a book, PostSecret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives, in which he talks about his experiences with people all over the world who were inspired by PostSecret, allowing them to have dialogue on topics they felt they couldn’t before.
In addition to the initial book, there are now three other books that showcase PostSecret postcards, as well as some other Postsecret-themed events, which you can check out here.
What about you? Have you ever shared a secret on a postcard? :)
18 comments so far
Lovely idea. Interaction in postcards can be very creative and artistic!
Haha I feel the same way about my husband and I's relationship. You just got postsecret a new fan. Thanks for always finding new and interesting news about postcards.
I think I have shared revelations, and never secrets. Hihi.. I have once heard from a teacher that a secret is not a secret anymore if it's shared.. so I write a few revelations to a few postcrossers.
Love this idea!
I've been a devoted fan of Postsecret since almost the very beginning. Been to seen Frank live as well and have two of the books. :) And I still miss the short-lived app :(
Yes I love Postsecret and read it every sunday!
It's always nice to read about this funny project! :)
My Sunday's walk on Internet always starts with a visit to Postsecret.com!
wow! sound fun to me~ ^^
Postsecret is the first thing I do every sunday morning! You should try sending in a secret, it's very liberating.
I love Postsecrets! It's so fascinating and eye-opening. Makes you realize that you are never alone in this world :)
There is a Postsecret RR for postcrossers at the forums as well here :)
I did this a couple of times... lolz
How to join Postsecret?
Just sent postcard to that address?
Is seems so funny to join!
This is great! I'd love to join.
A professional organization I belong to did this for their annual conference as a way to get critique of the field. When people felt they could really speak their minds, it was liberating.
My Sundays are often filled with Postsecret. Even when having a bad day, there is always a secret that brings me back. Frank has done something amazing for us!
@YITICH - Anybody can send in a secret. Frank chooses which cards to publish.
I love PostSecret, but I haven't sent in any secrets (yet). I don't have many secrets because I always end up telling someone.
I LOVE POSTSECRET ,THIS IS GREAT IDEA FROM POSTCROSSING ,