private self
Hidden inner identity
The private self is the inner person—thoughts, feelings, and aspects of identity kept hidden from others.
It contrasts with the public self or persona presented to the world.
Everyone maintains some distinction between the two: Her private self was far more anxious than the confident face she showed at work.
The gap between private and public selves varies by person and culture.
- innerSituated further in
- inner lifeOne's private mental world
- hiddenKept out of sight
- secretConcealed information
- introspectionObserving one's own mind
solitude · diary · personal journal · thoughts · shadow · authentic · vulnerable · reflection · alone · alone time · intimate · soul · ego · unguarded · quiet · mirror · behind closed doors · depth
- identityidentity, personal identity, selfhood, ego, individuality
- identitiesalter ego, gender, persona, sexuality, alias
- Dualityduality, dual nature, two sides, yin and yang, yin-yang
- inner selfsoul, psyche, inner being, inner voice, inner child
- parts of selfego, id, superego, psyche, soul
private selfpublic self
Outward-facing identity presented socially
social self · public image · persona · outer self · social mask
private selffalse self
Protective psychological mask
persona · mask · role · character · public performance
private, self, privacy, privately, privatize, privatization, privation, privy, deprive