Personal growth is a process of learning to lie to ourselves lesser as we age

You know, the ones we tell ourselves to feel better or avoid tough realities—like “I’ll get to that tomorrow” (spoiler: tomorrow never comes) or “I’m just not a morning person” (when really, we’re just hitting snooze too many times).

Why We Lie to Ourselves
I think a lot of those lies start as coping mechanisms. Early on, they shield us from uncomfortable truths—maybe about who we are, what we want, or what we’re capable of. But as we mature, we get better at spotting them. It’s like we develop this internal BS detector that goes off louder with every passing year. And that’s where the growth kicks in: we stop hiding behind excuses and start facing things head-on.

The Growth in Truth
Personal growth isn’t just about ditching the lies, though—it’s also about chasing the truth, even when it’s messy or inconvenient. It’s admitting you’re not going to start that diet tomorrow, or that “later” usually means “never,” and then doing something about it. That shift can be brutal—facing reality often is—but it’s also freeing. The more we let go of those half-truths, the more room we make for a life that’s real and meaningful.

The Payoff
It’s not always a picnic, sure. Calling ourselves out takes guts, and sometimes the truth stings. But the reward? A deeper understanding of who we are and what drives us. Plus, there’s this quiet confidence that comes with it—like, “Yeah, I know my flaws, but I’m working on them, and that’s enough.” It’s authentic, it’s messy, and it’s way more fulfilling than clinging to the comforting stories we used to tell ourselves.

~Praveen Jada

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