How We Lie to Ourselves

The easiest person to lie to is yourself.

It’s weird how easy it is.
You don’t even have to try hard.
No big performance. No convincing tone.
Just… look away from the truth for a second, and boom—lie accepted.

I tell myself I’m okay when I’m falling apart.
I say it doesn’t matter when it absolutely does.
I act like I’ve moved on while still checking things I shouldn’t be checking and holding onto feelings I shouldn’t still feel.
It’s not just me. We all do it.

Sometimes it’s small stuff.
“I’ll start tomorrow.”
“I’m over it.”
“It’s fine.”

Other times, the lie is heavier.
“I love this job.”
“I’m not lonely.”
“I’m not hurt.”
When deep down, you know you’re not fine.
You’re tired. You’re stuck. And worse—you know it.
But still, you pretend.

Why?
Because admitting the truth means you might have to change something.
Or feel something.
Or confront someone.
And sometimes, that feels harder than just sitting with the lie.
At least the lie gives you something to hold onto. Even if it’s fake.

But here’s the thing:
The lie doesn’t go away just because you ignore it.
It waits. Quietly.
It seeps into your choices. Your relationships. Your sleep. Your joy.
It shapes your whole life without you even noticing.

You say the relationship is fine, but you feel small in it.
You say the job is great, but you dread every Monday.
You say you’ve healed, but you still tear up when no one’s looking.

And that’s the cost.
You don’t get to live fully because you’re too busy performing “fine.”

But imagine this—
What if you told yourself the truth, even once?
What if you said, “I’m not okay.”
Or “I’m tired of pretending.”
Or “I actually do care, and it hurts more than I want to admit.”

What if the truth is the only thing that could finally breathe life back into you?

It’s scary, yeah.
But lying to yourself—staying stuck—that’s scarier.

So maybe, start small.
One honest sentence.
To yourself.
Today.

Because pretending might keep things quiet…
But truth—truth is what sets you free.