Women carry huge responsibilities and even more huge burdens. These burdens are of our own guilt, fears and shortcomings. To cope up with these negativities, we tell ourselves and others lies or half-truths.

We do this because we find it too much to face the truth, to own the responsibility of something difficult, scary! It’s kind of our coping mechanism. But this mechanism also keeps us stuck and miserable in our lives!

Lies and Half-Truths

Here are what some of the half-truths look like:

I can’t lose weight or exercise, as I am very busy these days!

I can’t afford to take time out for myself, as everything will fall apart if I do!

I can’t go for my yearly check-up now, way too busy. And I feel just fine!

My friends won’t like coming to this apartment. I need to take them out!

I have to hang on to this relationship because I am not good enough to get anyone else!

I have been hurt so bad…. I can’t trust anyone else now!

I have to put up with abusive behavior because I have nowhere to go!

I have to put up with these fake friends because they are all I have.

When We don’t Own Our Truth, Here is What happens…

• When we don’t own our truth, we end up staying stuck in negative life and work patterns.
• We don’t break free from negative self-beliefs, negative people, and bad habits.
• We get stuck! We end up staying at the same place, in the same position for years. Alongside, we feel unhappy when we see others making progress, living the life that we wanted for ourselves.

In the long run, our fears and baggage of lies and half-truths stop us from moving ahead, making meaningful connections, relationships, making personal and professional progress and having financial freedom.

The Stories of Jay and Annie

A friend of mine (Let’s call her Jay) used to be so much ashamed of where she lived that she would ask her car pool buddies to drop her off at a bus stop near her place.

Then there was Annie, a lovely woman, got divorced early and was so much traumatized by that experience that she refused to meet anyone new ever in her life.

What’s common between these two women is their inability to own their respective truth and face their fears. Jay feared her colleague’s judgment and ridicule about her humble background. Meanwhile, Annie was unwilling to move past her ONE BAD experience and trust life itself again.

However, Jay eventually started getting owning her truth. She finally accepted that as long as she was comfortable in who she was and where she was coming from, it didn’t matter what anyone else thought! Their judgments and opinion were their own and momentary. Ultimately, it was her work and talent that were the TRUTH! Her truth! They would speak for her and make her stand out!

On the other hand, Annie is still blaming others for her failures in life. Her ex, her in laws, her own family, fate, even God! She is lonelier than ever and extremely bitter about everything in life.

I am sure you would find similar stories around you! You may even find something in you that can make you relate with Jay or Annie. It all depends upon how much ownership you take of you, your life and your actions!

When You FINALLY start Owning Your Truth…

Here is what happens when you start owning your truth:

• You start facing your fears.
• You let go of the half-truths.
• You stop caring for others’ opinion, judgment and ridicule.
• You stop finding excuses.
• You start finding your inner voice and become vocal.
• You become confident.
• You stop blaming others or yourself for your failures.
• You stop living according to the status quo and start running your own carnival.
• You start putting yourself first.
• You start giving others chances. You start taking more chances.
• You start putting yourself MORE out there.
• You become self-accountable!
• You start taking charge of your life and decisions.
  

The Conclusion

By taking ownership of your truth, you start taking ownership of your life. You start orchestrating the beat, pace and rhythm of your own life, rather than dancing to the tunes of others.