Cycle of Self-Deception
Are you living a lie? If you are, you’re not alone—many people are trapped in the same cycle of denial and self-deception.
Denial is an easy trap to fall into because it’s often more comfortable than facing the truth. It’s easier to ignore our unhappiness than to admit that something in our life isn’t right. However, denial keeps us stuck in a lie, preventing us from living authentically and finding true happiness.
Consider this: you’ve just started a new job, and you’ve invested a lot into making it work. But deep down, you hate it. Maybe you tell yourself that you’ll grow to like it, but as time passes, the feeling doesn’t change. You still dislike the job, but admitting that feels too difficult. After all, you need this job, right? And if you need it, shouldn’t you at least try to love it? So, you convince yourself that you do like it—but deep down, you know that’s not true. You’re living a lie.
This pattern can extend to other areas of life too. Perhaps you’ve bought a new home, only to realize a month later that it’s not what you wanted. You regret the purchase, but acknowledging that feels like admitting defeat. You don’t want to bruise your ego or appear foolish to others, so you pretend to love the house and the life it represents. But inside, this lie is wearing you down.
The same can happen in relationships or any major life decision. But why continue living a lie? The first step toward authentic living is to admit that you’re unhappy, that you may have made a mistake. Once you acknowledge this, you can begin to figure out what to do next—without fear of judgment, either from yourself or others.
Be Honest with Yourself
When you’re honest with yourself, you can assess your situation more clearly. Maybe you decide to stay in the job because you need the income, but you stop pretending to love it. Or perhaps you explore ways to improve your situation—like renting out the house you don’t love or selling it to find a better fit. The key is to recognize your true feelings, allowing yourself to make decisions that align with your authentic self.
Denial only leads to more self-judgment and unhappiness. But by facing the truth, you free yourself to pursue the life you truly want. It all starts with choosing to live authentically, refusing to stay trapped in a lie. Your path to true happiness begins with honesty.
