The truth can hurt sometimes, but it is usually less destructive than lies. Maybe you have previously been in a situation where you felt uncomfortable speaking your truth, either because you didn’t want to hurt someone’s feelings, or because you were afraid that they would ridicule or disagree with you. While withholding your truth may seem like the best way to avoid conflict, it does nothing to serve you or others.
You may have noticed that some people have made a habit of being easily offended. If your religious beliefs, political views, lifestyle, or anything else does not perfectly match with their own, they feel compelled to complain or convince you that you are wrong for being different. If you are a person who prefers to avoid conflict, you might be tempted to conceal your truth, or at least soften it somewhat, for the sake of keeping the peace.
The problem with doing this is that it reinforces the other person’s perception that they are right and you are wrong, and they will come to believe even more strongly that they have the right to decide how you should be living your life. As uncomfortable as it may be at first, standing your ground is important, even if they aren’t happy about it.
However, there are ways to do this peacefully, without getting drawn into pointless arguments. You can state your position calmly yet firmly, or you can simply live your life in a way that works best for you and ignore any negative commentary from others. When it comes right down to it, you don’t owe anyone explanations, and you certainly do not need to defend your choices to anyone. Eventually, they will see that they are unable to change your mind, and they will find something else to complain about.
If the idea of standing your ground makes you feel uneasy, it could be that you have not yet fully accepted yourself for who you are, so there is a lack of confidence in expressing that to others. In that case, you may want to spend some time each day getting more comfortable with who you really are, including your viewpoints, your beliefs, your lifestyle preferences, and everything that makes you unique.
Practice self-appreciation by strengthening your sense of worthiness and highlighting your positive characteristics. Make lists of things that you appreciate about yourself and read them often. Practice positive self-talk whenever possible and keep making the choice to be more authentic in everything you do.
Most importantly, keep reminding yourself that you are a conscious being who has a unique perspective to share, just like everyone else on the planet. Say to yourself frequently, “My truth is valid, and I express it easily and confidently.” Imagine being so firmly grounded and centered that you need no external validation from others. Imagine standing your ground calmly and being completely unaffected by anything that others say or do. As you continue strengthening your self-belief, you should notice that it also gets easier for you to express your truth to other people, regardless of whether they agree or disagree.
