19 Comments
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Taylor from A. Taylor Studio's avatar

Great read, and so true. You thought this out and explained it so so well! On my way to be more mysterious now…

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Mufaro's avatar

Thank you, Taylor!! You and me both lol!

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Alex's avatar

Loved this read. Not me recently starting off an email to my professor/advisor after being pregnant for five whole months in class, "This seems like a good opportunity to pop in - albeit probably quite a bit late! I’m (unintentionally and oddly?) private about things going on in my life, for no good reason…" If you don't ask... I'll probably never tell. ;-)

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Lexie DeLain's avatar

I love this! On one hand, being visible is necessary to grow, but on the other, privacy is so rare in today’s world. It’s kind of like a war inside you - shadows vs. spotlight. 🤍🖤

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Mufaro's avatar

The question is - does a middle ground exist ? Or is it one in lieu of the other at different stages of your career/journey ?

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Lexie DeLain's avatar

I think the middle ground is customizable to each person. They pick and choose what is featured and what is private based on what’s meaningful to them! In my opinion :)

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EVB - The French Edit's avatar

I was really drawn to this article and how clearly it articulated its points. It absolutely makes sense that mystery has become a form of social currency. It explains the intense fascination surrounding many high-profile individuals perceived as 'all money.' Their carefully curated mystique, their control over the information they reveal, is undeniably powerful. It's a clever strategy, and, frankly, incredibly alluring.

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Mufaro's avatar

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed read it as much as I did writing it! It's fascinating how the allure of mystique can play such a significant role in shaping our perceptions of public figures. I appreciate you taking the time to share your insights and am glad we could connect on this topic.

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Sunday Ripley's avatar

Yes!! I think that oversharing almost feels like bragging and so over the top these days. I think that the real magic is the people who are more mysterious but still are charismatic because there does need to be a level of draw (for content creators/celebs)

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Mufaro's avatar

It does doesn't it?? Uncomfortable almost...Couldn't agree more. More mystery 2025! Also, thank you for sharing your thoughts!!! have a beautiful rest of your week!

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Snappy Strawberry's avatar

Totally agree! I’m getting engaged, and I won’t be posting it on social media. It’s our story, something we’ll share only with close friends and family.

I think this shift will be really evident in the wedding industry. We had this era of flashy, over-the-top weddings, but I believe we’ll start seeing more micro-weddings with only a few pictures. First of all, weddings are insanely expensive. And why does being a bride have to be your whole personality?

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Mufaro's avatar

This!!! I’m of very much the same mindset re my own wedding. We can already see the start of couples moving away from big party like celebrations to more intimate lunches/dinners. They’ve almost become performative and all for show dare I say and it’s sad because at the end of the day you’ll have spent all this money and stress and time all for what? 15mins of fame? (I hope that doesn’t come across as negative) I love weddings but we just need to reassess who they are for and why and how they are done!

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LOH Magazine's avatar

Omggg I follow Melissa and the Gstaaf guy too! So classy and love their content. Like you said aspirational yet mysteriously. I enjoy Mel’s candid stories and day to day recs and ofc the Gstaaf guy knows how to share useful knowledge with Greg humor.

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kira's avatar

I really love this article and how it uses The Row as an example. It perfectly captures how mystery has become a quiet kind of luxury. In a world of oversharing, choosing restraint does feel so powerful!!

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Cathy's avatar

Brilliantly written and couldn’t agree more. Anonymity is luxury and the new privilege is having a well paying job that doesn’t require you to be publicly facing.

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Phoebe Franco's avatar

maybe its got to do with things firing back. with the pandemic seeing the wave of cancel culture, I think people wish to refrain from showing more than their creative spirits online, that is the main factor of their monetisation.

for the Kra-Jens their value comes from being performatively transparent, via their show. the ability to control the narrative also comes from power, which does come from money. so while we still know them from their billion avenues of social media and press and their existing companies; I think the mystery element can still remain to people who showcase a lot of themselves.

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Mufaro's avatar

You are quite right! The pandemic and its aftereffects are still rife today!! On your point about the Kar-Jens, there definitely is a mystery element that exists...a wall almost that no matter how much they share we can never actually penetrate

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ProducerLiz's avatar

Brilliant piece 👏👏 have been simmering on this for a minute and you summed it up expertly + your reference points and examples are spot on!!

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Mufaro's avatar

Thank you! So kind! I’m glad it resonated! Hope you have a fabulous week!

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