Steps to Stop Lying

Healthy relationships with others involve telling the truth and building bonds of trust that can rapidly turn into suspicion if you are in the habit of telling falsehoods. Habitual lying is a behavior that can alienate you from your friends and loved ones once they discover your tall tales. It is possible to break this habit if you maintain your resolve to do so and develop a plan of action. Knowing the causes of your lying habit will help you discover the source of your habitual dishonesty.

Things You'll Need

• Journal
• Pen

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Instructions

• 1

  Establish the root cause of your lying. Ask yourself what your lies conceal. Some people who engage in habitual lying have low self-esteem that leads them to concoct stories to make themselves seem more grand than their ordinary selves. Be honest with yourself. Ask yourself soul-searching questions such as what emotions are responsible for causing you to engage in compulsive lying. Do you feel confident about yourself as you are?

• 2

  Keep track of your introspection by writing your discoveries in a journal. The act of putting your thoughts and feelings into words can be a powerful way of discovering your inner truth. It also gives you some concrete way to measure your progress towards being honest with yourself and others.

• 3

  Consult a counselor or therapist if you feel that you need a little help with your mental health. A counselor or therapist has training to assist you with issues such as dealing with low self-esteem and building confidence in a constructive and non-judgmental way.

• 4

  Take small steps to achieve your goal of being honest. Instead of telling yourself to stop telling lies, take a more positive approach by making the commitment to incorporate more honesty into your life. Acknowledge and congratulate yourself for each honest statement you make, and record your successes in your journal. In this way, you will slowly establish the habit of telling the truth to replace the habit of lying.

• 5

  Join a support group. Support groups are available both online and in towns across the country that give people learning to be honest the companionship of others who have struggled with the same problem. A supportive community that can empathize with your issues gives you a network of people you are certain care about you, and who you know can truly understand the task of forging new habits and leading a more satisfying life.