Tell The Truth: How To Start Being Honest With Yourself

There are many times when we might not feel like we’re being truly honest with ourselves. Necessarily, it is only a subtle feeling but can spill over into being dishonest with others too. Not being honest with ourselves can take many forms. Maybe we keep telling ourselves we’re ok and coping when we’re not. Perhaps we refuse to acknowledge a financial problem or relationship difficulties. It might even be something work-related when we tell ourselves we’re trying or can do no better, when we know it’s not really true. We shouldn’t feel guilt or shame when recognising these patterns of behaviour. It is the first step towards doing something about them and that takes courage. If you feel that you’re not being fully honest with yourself about things, try incorporating some of these suggestions.

Be Brave

Bravery tends to be a term we think of with soldiers, firefighters, and famous humanitarians. But the truth is that bravery takes many forms. For someone suffering from depression or an addiction, a truly brave step can be to tell a loved one that they’re struggling. For someone in an abusive relationship, bravery can mean confronting their partner. It might mean speaking to a therapist or even going to the police.Whatever challenges we face in our daily lives, facing them takes courage. We need to start applying the word “bravery” to our own actions and thought processes and cultivating them. If you’re avoiding something or not being honest, tell yourself to be brave. The more often you push yourself to face frightening things, the less frightening everything becomes. You become stronger mentally and sometimes even feel stronger physically. You feel a sense of accomplishment and self-sufficiency. A feeling of confidence and capability can have a profound impact on our overall wellbeing. The next time you feel that something must be done in your life, tell yourself to be brave and face it.

Communicate With Others

You may be fortunate enough to have a few people in your life whose opinions you trust and respect. Communicate with them. Often being honest with others is a way to be honest with yourself. If they feel you’re not being honest, they are also likely to tell you! Being candid and open with people is not weakness if you are genuinely trying to solve a problem or get help. It shows that you have humility and are trying to take control of your own life. It is a great compliment to pay someone to sincerely ask for their help and advice. Being honest is often a two-way street. Being honest with yourself means you’ll be honest with others.

Think Ahead

If you are being honest with yourself and have something to face or deal with, visualise the future. Think positively about how much better you will feel. Even if it is difficult for a time, you will know you have done the right thing and will look back with pride. Thinking about a brighter future can be a great way to deal with the difficulties of the present.

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