The Lies We Tell Ourselves

Most of us like to think of ourselves as honest individuals. Although we may occasionally tell a small lie, we find it difficult to deceive our loved ones.

However, it’s interesting to note that we often deceive ourselves quite easily. You may have initially rejected this idea and thought, “I don’t do that!”

Nevertheless, we frequently tell ourselves certain lies that can hinder our progress towards achieving our goals.

1.’ll eventually get around to it.

How many times have you made this promise to yourself, only to fail to follow through? If you’re like most people, the answer is numerous times.

It’s actually more effective to set specific deadlines for your tasks or simply complete them immediately.

2. I can never escape my past.

Many of us have hidden secrets or unresolved traumas from our past. However, it’s important to recognize that you can overcome your past.

Your past does not define your entire being. It may require some extra effort or personal growth, but it is possible to move beyond your previous experiences.

3. Something must be wrong with me.

Have you ever felt like such a failure that you believed there must be something inherently flawed about you?

This powerful lie can prevent you from even attempting to achieve your goals.

Whether you feel different, are struggling, or have experienced failure, remember that these are just circumstances and do not define your true self.

4. I know exactly what I’m doing.

Self-confidence is valuable, and sometimes even faking it can be helpful. However, it’s important to avoid overconfidence.

There’s nothing wrong with admitting when you need assistance or acknowledging that you don’t have all the answers.

5. I would be happy if only…

It’s easy to fixate on what we think will make us happy, but rarely does it work out that way.

Even if you obtain what you believe will bring happiness, you’ll likely just shift your focus to something else.

It’s crucial to discover how to find happiness on your own terms.

6. I’m too busy to…

While this statement may be true at times, especially for those juggling work and family responsibilities, it often isn’t the case.

Downtime is important, and most of us waste time in some way. Take an honest look at your day, and you’ll likely find pockets of spare time.

7. I can change him/her.

I’m sure many of you can relate to this one! We often encounter individuals we’re attracted to, even though they may be toxic.

We convince ourselves that with enough love and care, we can change them.

However, we eventually realize that changing someone is not our responsibility, nor is it within our power.

8. I’m too old to…

I recently heard a 25-year-old claim they were too old for something, and it made me feel ancient.

The truth is, as we age, we can still pursue almost anything we desire.

It’s never too late to pursue education, switch careers, take risks, or strive to live the life we’ve always dreamed of.

9. I’m a failure.

Experiencing failure at some point is inevitable, but that does not make us failures as individuals. Failure is something we encounter; it does not define who we are.

If you constantly feel like a perpetual loser, focus on your victories instead. We all have accomplishments in our lives, regardless of how small they may seem.

Furthermore, failing is actually beneficial as it provides valuable lessons and insights about ourselves.

Actionable Steps

Step 1

Read over the list of lies we tell ourselves and figure out if you use any of them.

Pay special attention to any lies you might use regularly.

Step 2

Take a sheet of paper, and mark a line down the center from top to bottom.

On the left-hand side, write down the lies you tell yourself.

Feel free to add any other lies we may have missed as well.

Step 3

On the right-hand side of the paper, counter each of those lies.

Either write down reasons they aren’t true or the steps you can take to ensure they aren’t true.