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Is it ok to lie to yourself sometimes? (details)

if it saves you from stress and pain? I saw a quote about why it's bad to lie to yourself, but is it sometimes ok? or to not admit something to yourself? Idk if this makes any sense, but I really don't want to get more detailed then this! (this is more about philosophy, not religion, just to make that very clear.)

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Its never ok to lie, and not to yourself.. I always tell dustee the truth she's all I've got to help me
the old saying .."To thy ownself be true." "Never lie to the one you must face in the mirror."

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I like it. Ok, I'll work on that!
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Absolutely my friend!
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FirstBorn1
FANTASTIC..... I'm going to read your answer again it's that good. :)
Greeeeeenie!
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Yes!! I don't lie to anyone. Cannot stand. I had an older sister who always lied. I payed a high price for her lies;(
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It is completely adequate coping mechanism, yes.

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Ok thanks:)
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uw :)
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Yes in that case

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Thanks:)
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Yes. It's always okay to lie if you need to save someone's feelings. Even yours!

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Thanks:)
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How do you lie to yourself? Wouldn't you know you were lying? I guess I wouldn't know how to do it.

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You know how sometimes you tell yourself what you want to hear, even though it's not true? Kinda like that.
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Okay, got ya. Once on a while okay. But don't make a habit of it.
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If it's positive and constructive for your development, then I don't see anything wrong with that...
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Yea yea I know:)
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Lying to yourself = rationalization.

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Thanks, wait, care to expound a bit?
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Mr_FadedGlory
Not always Smitty. Just to some people who want to justify there irrational behavior.
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Yes.. I agree. As humans.. We do something a little bad and we make it seem ok in our minds by rationalizing it. This can seem ok but is it really ok of we sin and constantly rationalize it? On the other hand, self talk to ourselves to help our self esteem is a good thing.
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I suppose it's okay for an occasional mental rest bit, as long as it doesn't become a life's coping skill.

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Right, good point. Thanks.
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Yes, this is a better answer than mine, I think. It's definitely not something that's great to rely on long term, but it can get you through, certainly, when needed.
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I think its confusing...I'm sure I do it to but don't notice it. But after I do it I begin to question myself. I don't think you should so I'm gonna go with yes. :)

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People lie to themselves ALL the time. Lying to yourself is the worst kind of lie. Be honest with yourself, no matter how ugly the truth is. NOTHING good ever comes from a lie anyways.

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Ok. Thanks.
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Hi Naf!
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Hey Kuu!!! What's up in your neck of the woods? (my "new" icon is still on the fritz, so if you don't hear back from me instantly........well, you know) 8)
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Lying to yourself is a typical technique taught in self help books. It is the theory of self fulfilling prophecy- if you are told or tell yourself that you are smart then you will begin to behave as a smart person. Perfectly healthy in most situations:).

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Fake it til ya make it!

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Mr_FadedGlory

I think it's a defense mechanism in some cases. Hoping for the best, but expecting the worse, as it were. So, in that case the question is moot. We are going to do it subconsciously in some cases. I strive on a daily basis to learn what I've been naive to within my own life and experiences.

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Hoping for the best but expecting the worst... Exactly! Thanks, good point.
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The only problem with lying to yourself, is that eventually you have to face the truth. Why prolong something you know is going to happen.
Let me give you and example- Your living with your boyfriend of, let's say 10 years, the problem is you love him with all your heart even though you know he's unfaithful to you quite often, all of your friends know and try to tell you, but you convince yourself every thing is okay, you still turn your head to this infidelity. One day after several kids you realize you can no longer take this kind of treatment, you can no longer lie to yourself that everything's okay.
It would have been easier to face the truth and not lie to yourself ten years ago.
Sometimes we have to be strong and not lie to ourselves even if it hurts.

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Kind of what? Sorry you didn't finish :P
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Oh nvm! I'm mostly talking about "small" things.
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Whatever "small" is anyway haha
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Small things lead to big things unfortunately!
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sadly I always tell myself the painful true and learn to deal with it regardless of what other say. g
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Dustee that's the way I live my life too, learned this a very hard way.
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Ok well I suppose I will too then.
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Good luck Shaylen!!!
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Well.. Why did you and your bf never marry? Maybe he never wanted to commit. So he got to have the milk ( with u) without having to buy the cow. Don't sell yourself short and maybe not live with a man unless he marries u. Hope u don't my forwardness. :)
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@lolo, I'm not talking about me silly, it was an example, didn't you read that? BTW, I've been married for 29 years, probably longer than you are old.
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29 years congrats!!
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Thanks Shaylen ;D
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Do I look that young? I take that as a compliment. :) Your example was explicit enough to think it was ur life.
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Lolo, the only problem with your comment is that the example was for Shaylen. It had nothing to do with my life or hers, it was simply an example of what lying to yourself could cause.
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True
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it is ok to lie to yourself but like if u get raped and say it dint happen in your head then its not ok

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Honesty is always the best policy; keep your integrity intact.

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It all depends on the context in which u r asking. For example, someone may have disabilities and they know it but they tell them self they r smart. Or someone is disgusted but they tell themselves they r beautiful. Self talk in positive helps our self esteem. But,if we do something bad, as humans, we have the tendency to rationalize things so we don't face our wrongs and our sin. I think everyone prob does this. But, we will all stand before God one day and give an account for our lives. Everything we do ( and think) matters. :) remember God loves u.:)

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Ah, you do know examples, that's good.
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I personally think lying to yourself is foolish. I think you're talking about ignoring your problems and thinking they'll leave you alone if you stop thinking about them. Am I close? But admitting that there are no problems is not a good choice. You see, it depends on how you react to life and what it throws at ya. You can't say "I didn't see the ball." That's lying to yourself. You need to twist and turn to avoid it. So yeah, my answer is no you shouldn't lie to yourself. But you should resolve your problems or they'll keep haunting you.

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Alright. Thanks.
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You're welcome:)
God bless!
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Kinda with me, it's not ignoring problems, but like when I don't want to do something, lying to myself about the reason why. I don't lie to myself about my problems. My issue with my problems is I put a specific time to follow through, and when the time comes, make excuses and then set it to a further time. Which is probably foolish too.
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Smiley face :)
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Shaylen, that's called procrastinating. Trust me, we all do it !!!!
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I understand. You lay off things a lot. Yeah, I have that problem quite frequently but I'm trying really hard to fight that "laziness" out of myself. I prefer you pray and ask God guidance and strength to not only withstand but solve problems. It's mere nature and our bodies are kinda lazy and full of excuses :P
I'll pray for you :)
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Thanks:) I do pray, but sometimes I get in the way of God helping me. Gotta be better about that.
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Yes mam :) keep up the good work.
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Why lie to yourself when they're so many people willing to do it for you?

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Keep it real. And why lie to yourself? You no its not true. I don't lie to anyone. I paid a very high price due to my older sister always being a liar. To this day I still struggle and have deep pain from what she caused me. It hurts! The truth may hurt a little but a lie will hurt a lifetime. Trust me

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Wow, awesome story, good advice to live by.
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