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20 Years of PostSecret

20 Years of PostSecret

I’m filled with gratitude as I reminisce about our journey with PostSecret, which began in 2004 with your very first secret. Since then, a multitude of confessions have poured in, each arriving on a postcard, shaping the unique essence of our community.

The PostSecret Community and our valued PostSecret Patreons are the cornerstone of this incredible journey.

This week, the Holiday Secrets are exclusively shared on the PostSecret Patreon page. Upon your visit, I invite you to contemplate joining us as a member to unlock a host of benefits, including the preservation of the Sunday Secrets free from advertisements.

While the secrets will return here next week in their usual fashion, I’m thrilled about the upcoming changes for 2024. We’re planning to harness AI technology to finally enable comprehensive keyword searches across the entire PostSecret archive. This feature will empower you to customize searches, exploring the myriad of secrets on any topic of your choice. Furthermore, the PostSecret art exhibition in San Diego is expanding to encompass ‘naked mail,’ and I’m excited to share that this exhibition, along with select live events, remains complimentary for PostSecret Patreons. Lastly, there’s a television-related project in the works, but it’s under wraps for now.

I extend an invitation to join us on Patreon this week to indulge in the Sunday Secrets, and I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for being the most vital element of PostSecret.

Wishing you a joyous holiday season!

Warm regards,
Frank

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PostSecret Holiday Story

— Post on the PostSecret Facebook Page —

Dear PostSecret,

To the individual who feels regretful for informing their child that there is no Santa, I experienced a similar moment recently. My son penned a letter to Santa just last night, fervently wishing for a special present. However, I found it challenging to disclose to him that “Santa’s” recent back injury has hindered her ability to work as a waitress for the past two weeks. Moreover, with no child support for the past seven months, our accumulating bills are becoming overwhelming. The local charity mentioned that the application deadline has passed, making any specific assistance uncertain. My secret: I yearn for Santa Claus to be real, so that no child would ever have to face deprivation on Christmas, and no parent would grapple with the feeling of failing their child.
Warm regards,
-Amber

— Post on the PostSecret Facebook Page —

Hello PostSecret,

I recently read the heartfelt response from the woman struggling to procure the “special present” for her son. While I understand I can’t fulfill every child’s wish, I would like to extend an offer to help buy that gift for her son. As a college student with limited finances, I may need to know what the gift is, but I don’t want her to feel despondent due to her injury. It would mean a great deal to me to bring smiles to the faces of two strangers on Christmas morning.
Thank you,
-Molly

— Post on the PostSecret Facebook Page —

Hi Amber,

If you create a PayPal account, I would like to contribute to it and encourage others to do the same.
Best regards,
-Frank

— Post on the PostSecret Facebook Page —

Frank,

I’m incredibly grateful for your kind offer. I wasn’t anticipating any assistance, just aiming to let someone know they’re not alone. I’ve set up a PayPal account under this email address.
With gratitude,
-Amber

— Post on the PostSecret Facebook Page —

Hi Amber,

Thank you for providing us with an avenue to help you create the Christmas every child deserves. I’ve just made a contribution and anticipate that others from the PostSecret community might follow suit.
Warm regards,
-Frank

— Post on the PostSecret Facebook Page —

Hey Molly,

Please check the website again. You can make a difference.
Best,
-Frank

— Post on the PostSecret Facebook Page —

Dear PostSecret,

I made a donation and the feeling of generosity it evoked surprised me. One doesn’t need to be affluent to experience the joy of giving.
Best regards,
-Molly

— Post on the PostSecret Facebook Page —

Frank,

Santa Claus is indeed alive and well. He resides within you and others like you across the globe. The love and kindness strangers have shown my family today overwhelms me. I never expected such an enormous response in such a short time. Not only will I be able to afford the present my son wished for, but also clothes and other essentials I’ve been postponing. I now have what I need, so please remove my PayPal account from PostSecret. I urge anyone willing to assist someone in need to reach out to their local charities. Thank you for making my wish a reality.
Warm regards,
-Amber

[Excerpt from a series of social media posts later featured in ‘PostSecret The Show’.]

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a merry christmas
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See thousands of secrets in San Diego at The Museum of Us

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Damian and other Visitor Experience Associates diligently scanned all the anonymously submitted secrets at the museum.

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Street Secrets
Secret Gifts

All PostSecret books available from Amazon or Indies.

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Hope & Help

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone in the PostSecret community who has generously donated their money or time to suicide prevention. As someone who has been on the frontlines, answering those phones during overnight shifts, I can attest: There is hope, and there is help available.

Hope & Help
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F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about PostSecret:

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project started by Frank Warren in 2005. It involves people sharing their secrets anonymously on postcards, expressing their inner thoughts, fears, hopes, and confessions.

Frank Warren initiated PostSecret by distributing 3,000 self-addressed postcards to strangers, inviting them to share their secrets anonymously. The project gained immense popularity, leading to the creation of the PostSecret website and books.

Secrets can be mailed to the PostSecret address listed on the website or submitted digitally via the PostSecret app or website.

Yes, all secrets shared on PostSecret are anonymous. Contributors are encouraged to conceal any identifying information to maintain anonymity.

For many contributors, sharing secrets can be cathartic and therapeutic. The project has provided an outlet for individuals to release their burdens and find solace in knowing they are not alone in their experiences.

PostSecret relies on contributors’ honesty. There is no verification process for submitted secrets, as the project prioritizes anonymity and the freedom to express without judgment.

Frank Warren curates the secrets received and selects those to be featured on the PostSecret website, in books, or at exhibitions. All postcards are treated with respect and are not shared publicly without consent.

Sharing someone else’s secret violates the anonymity and trust integral to PostSecret. Only the original contributor has the right to share their own secret.

The team behind PostSecret takes the well-being of contributors seriously. They provide resources and helplines for individuals struggling with distressing secrets and encourage seeking professional help.

While there are no strict guidelines, contributors are encouraged to be respectful, refrain from including identifiable information, and ensure their secrets are not harmful to themselves or others.

PostSecret exhibitions are held at various locations worldwide. Information about upcoming exhibitions is regularly updated on the website and social media channels.

PostSecret blends art, storytelling, and community engagement, showcasing the power of vulnerability and human connection. It has become a significant cultural phenomenon, inspiring conversations about mental health and secrets.

PostSecret welcomes submissions from individuals of all ages. However, sensitive content from minors might be handled with extra care, following ethical considerations.

PostSecret collaborates with mental health organizations and provides links to helplines and resources for those in need on its platforms.

Yes, PostSecret has published multiple books compiling selected secrets. Merchandise such as postcards and other items related to the project are available for purchase on their website.

PostSecret has supported various charitable initiatives, including suicide prevention programs, mental health advocacy, and fundraising efforts for different causes.

From its humble beginnings, PostSecret has expanded globally, incorporating digital submissions, live events, collaborations, and multimedia projects, continuously evolving its impact and reach.

While PostSecret doesn’t actively seek volunteers, individuals can support the project by spreading awareness, participating in events, and contributing secrets.

PostSecret continues to explore new avenues for sharing secrets, engaging with the community, and raising awareness about mental health. Future plans might include more collaborations or innovative projects.

The PostSecret website, social media platforms, events, and exhibitions offer opportunities to engage, share stories, and connect with a community built on shared experiences of secrecy and vulnerability.

PostSecret is the largest advertisement-free blog in the world.
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