Some joy becomes deeper when nobody is asked to validate it.

Sharing a good thing brings something back, and it also introduces a comparison. The reactions become part of the experience, and the size of the response starts to inform how good it was. Joy kept to yourself does not have that additional measurement running. It stays the size it actually is.

Try keeping something you are happy about entirely to yourself for a while. Notice whether it holds its shape better without anyone’s endorsement. Some pleasures are strongest before they are submitted for approval.