Misfortune-hiding

Misfortune-hiding describes the act, practice, or tendency of concealing or downplaying negative experiences, setbacks, or challenges. It encompasses attempts to present a facade of success, happiness, or normalcy while internally grappling with adversity. This behavior can manifest through carefully curated social media profiles, selective storytelling, or the avoidance of discussing difficult topics. The underlying motivation often involves avoiding judgment, maintaining a positive image, protecting oneself or others, and in some cases, hoping the negative situation will resolve itself without external intervention.

Misfortune-hiding meaning with examples

• Sarah, known for her perfectly crafted online persona, was an expert in misfortune-hiding. While she portrayed an idyllic life on Instagram, she silently battled severe anxiety and financial struggles, never revealing the full extent of her problems to her followers, fearing their pity or criticism, as social media users can have negative repercussions.
• Following the company's significant financial loss, the CEO engaged in misfortune-hiding, downplaying the crisis during public addresses and suppressing internal reports that revealed the true extent of the damage. This decision, aimed at boosting investor confidence, ultimately delayed necessary corrective actions and made recovery more difficult.
• Despite receiving a devastating medical diagnosis, Mark practiced misfortune-hiding with his family and friends, insisting he was 'fine' and actively avoiding any discussion about his illness. He believed that expressing vulnerability would burden his loved ones and chose to face his health challenges in quiet solitude.
• Many athletes are familiar with the pressures of the sport, which often involve hiding injuries and disappointments. A star quarterback engaging in misfortune-hiding before a pivotal playoff game might tell the press he is fit to keep up appearances. The goal is to demonstrate strength and avoid the perception of weakness.
• After losing her job, Emily began misfortune-hiding with her friends, mentioning successful projects and using the past tense with her employment, while still looking for work. Avoiding expressing that failure caused by the job loss allowed her to maintain a sense of personal equilibrium during the job search.