How honest are you with yourself? It\u2019s a simple yet tough question\u2014one that most of us avoid because it\u2019s not always easy to answer. So our go-to is to pretend like we\u2019ve got it all figured out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The truth is, self-honesty is necessary to live out our lives in fulfillment. Sure, it might be uncomfortable and even painful at times, but the upsides? They\u2019re totally worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s something Kristina M\u00e4nd-Lakhiani<\/strong>, the co-founder of Mindvalley, is well aware of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour relationship with the world is a mirror reflection of your relationship with yourself<\/em>,\u201d she says in her book, Becoming Flawesome: The Key to Living an Imperfectly Authentic Life<\/em>. And when you come to grips with who you truly are, your relationship with the world will align.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Mufasa said to Simba in The Lion King<\/em>, \u201cLook inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become.<\/em>\u201d And if the lion king can face his truth, so can you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being honest with yourself takes a combination of things: self-awareness<\/a>, compassion, and love. It requires you to look internally at what you believe, desire, and value. And based on the \u201chonesty<\/a>\u201d definition by the American Psychological Association, you\u2019re able to express your true feelings and openly share your experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While it often relates to weeding out your weaknesses and shortcomings, it\u2019s also about acknowledging the good things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c[Honesty] is that quality which sets the wheels in motion,<\/em>\u201d explains Kristina. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s like when Simba owns up to his mistakes, and the music goes into a crescendo as he goes back to Pride Rock to take his rightful place as king. There\u2019s power, excitement, and, more importantly, that sense of awe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fact is, there\u2019s something incredible about self-honesty. It\u2019s scary because it unearths the flaws you worked so hard to bury. However, it\u2019s also beautiful because it shows you that there\u2019s an opportunity for growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the question: How honest are you really<\/em> with yourself? According to Kristina, there\u2019s a huge difference between faking your way through life and actually living it with complete authenticity<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She posed this question to herself, and she admits there are times when she\u2019s not as truthful as she\u2019d like to be. But here\u2019s the kicker of a question she poses: \u201cCan one be 95% honest and authentic?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou are either honest or not<\/em>,\u201d she explains. <\/em>\u201cYou cannot be mostly honest<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what does being 100% honest do for you? Here are five of the very many science-backed reasons why it\u2019s important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Self-honesty is all about the inner work. It\u2019s acknowledging all the thoughts and feelings that come up instead of brushing them aside\u2014all in a judgment-free zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you know how to be truthful to yourself, self-awareness shows up in two ways: internally and externally. And here\u2019s what researchers have found<\/a> when you have both:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The thing is, honesty goes hand in hand with awareness. So when you accept the good in with the bad, you can mold your life into whatever and however you want it to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guilt, shame, regret… these are all the feelings you may experience when you\u2019re not being truthful to yourself. It ultimately leads to\u2014no surprise here\u2014stress and anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Kristina asks, \u201cHow can we be truly honest if we are in the dark about the lies that we tell ourselves?<\/em>\u201d And so where there\u2019s self-honesty (like real<\/em> honesty), there’s also self-compassion<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to research, this can help reduce those stress levels and greatly improve your mind, body, and spirit. As a matter of fact, a 2015 study<\/a> found that teens who practice self-compassion are more likely to have better emotional and mental health than those who don\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being honest with yourself is an act of self-love<\/a>. And as you get more comfortable being more open and authentic internally, you\u2019ll find that same openness and authenticity externally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, when Simba was honest with himself and gained the courage to return to Pride Rock, he repaired his relationships with his mom, Nala, and the rest of the pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Honesty creates a safe space for more trust, intimacy, and connection, especially in your relationships. Research<\/a> out of Pennsylvania State University suggests that for relationships to stand the test of time, being truthful is an important factor that needs to be put into play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you know how to be honest with yourself, you don\u2019t look at weaknesses and challenges as a sign to give up. Instead, you see them as a chance for improvement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s with this mental toughness that you will have better mental and physical health, according to a 2002 study<\/a> published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because, let\u2019s be honest (no pun intended), life can sometimes knock you down. But self-honesty can help build resilience and get you back up.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat does it mean to be honest with yourself?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5 reasons why self-honesty is important<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Increased self-awareness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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2. Reduced stress and anxiety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Improved relationships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Greater resilience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. More meaningful life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n