Are honest to yourself?

Question

I think this is part of reflective thinking at its best. I find this to be the most difficult question to tackle. For instance, I could understand when I am honest to some person in certain circumstances, but when I try to see if I honest myself, I am left with a need for reassurance. How would you answer this question? And how could you ensure that you are not deceiving yourself?

Answer 1

In the immortal words of Dr. Phil, the test is: "How's that workin' for ya?"

Rather than thinking your way to enlightened reassurance, simply review the results of your actions, inaction, and decisions. If on balance things come out good, you are probably not deceiving yourself on anything important. If all of your efforts have resulted in unsolved problems or worsening situations, then its a good bet you are fooling yourself.

Answer 2

I think you can often apply 'common sense' with regard to deceiving yourself. You know when you have lied so if you try to pretend otherwise that's easy.
If you are referring to more subtle situations where you may be trying to be positive and do your best without being over confident or pompous, that can be more difficult. I don't know the exact answer (or if there is one) but my opinion is that other people soon let you know if you are really over doing it.

I feel the need for reassurance is a very ordinary and important form of behaviour. It helps us to recognise that we are social beings and live happier lives when we have 'friends' around us. I don't think you should feel bad about wanting to be liked but I would suggest that you try to raise your self confidence and self esteem a little so as not to be 'clingy'.
Finding ways of gaining new knowledge through education or a hobby or helping with voluntary work are some useful ways. These keep you in contact with other people and allow friendships to grow and boost your confidence.

Answer 3

I don't think "we" are dishonest with ourselves, but I know I can be blinkered. You pay more attention to and notice things you WANT to "find". Things which reinforce your current beliefs.

If you are unaware of something, then you aren't dishonest if you don't pay attention to it. If you don't know, haven't got the facts, then you can't possible know or do more, can you?

I don't think "we" are the "best" judge of ourselves anyway! I know I am far more self critical and harsh on MYSELF than anyone else would be.

I think its very difficult to deceive yourself. You KNOW, you just DO. You may choose to do nothing about it, ignore it, push it down, etc. But you do know. You can't rid yourself of that inner feeling. Not if you are an intuitive, enquiring, deep and sensitive person.

Answer 4

I try my best to be but I think it is impossible because of our biases. However, the persuit of truth inside yourself will help minimize our biases and atleast nuance of paradigm for the better. I think it is something we must constantly persue our entire lives and hope for the best.

Answer 5

Yes

Answer 6

Sometimes we think we are being honest to ourselves then we realise we are not. We do not always make good judgement on ourselves. Sometimes we think we are better than we are and judge incorrectly because of it.

Answer 7

well, in my opinion... there will be no one that ever honest to himself 100% for every moment in his life.. and how could we ensure that we are not decieving ourselves...?? it is after we say or claim something ,we feel comfortable with it and there is no regret or the voice inside of us agree with that!
So that's honest to ourselves!!!

Answer 8

nope, i do no longer agree. i'm consistently trouble-free with others, while it includes me, i understand the solutions to different my own questions and issues, yet I deny them and do something else extremely on an identical time as to my thoughts, I push them aside.

Answer 9

no i am not all honest to someone called ' I ' ,,, but still fake myself from my own self, just to be happy, in this fcuking world, just to remain synchronized with my dreamy world,,,, no this isnt any silly statement but a self-confession.....but as i go on living my life,,,i have a growing urge to be more honest with myself,,,

Answer 10

i think that if you are true to yourself and not cheat yourself in anyway then honestly i think that would be honest to yourself. if you can be honest to someone else then surely you can be honest to yourself.