6 Ways to Be More Honest with Yourself

If you've ever thought about improving your life and read articles on the internet about making life better, you know that the first place you need to start is with yourself. You are the only person and thing in your life that you have control over.

When you start doing the deep work to focus on yourself and make your life better, you learn that you will get no where if you can't be honest with yourself. Your honesty with yourself, or lack of, will affect all areas of your life from relationships to career to overall happiness.

So, how do you be honest with yourself? Keep reading to find out more:

#1 Accept your imperfections

No matter how hard you try, you're never going to be perfect at anything and the sooner you accept that, the sooner you can forgive those imperfections.

You're never going to be the perfect parent. You're never going to be the perfect daughter. You're never going to be the perfect employee. You will never be the perfect boyfriend.

Once you accept that you'll never be perfect, it is easier to let go of the people who think you should be.

Focus on the things you're good at and forgive yourself for the things you're not.

#2 Remember that there is no "good" if there isn't "bad"

Somedays we might wish that every day could be all roses, sunshine, and rainbows. But the roses don't grow, the rainbows don't come out and the sunshine doesn't feel as good if there's not some rain first.

If we never had "bad" things happen, we wouldn't appreciate the good things that come around.

Instead of thinking of something as "bad," try to see it as an experience that you have to get through in order to appreciate how good things can be. "Bad" can mean that we were late to work and got in trouble. It can also mean that someone you love got in an accident and died.

Of course, there are different levels of "bad." Unfortunately, we rarely have any control over the really horrible things. Let yourself experience the pain and loss for as long as you have to but remember that it won't last forever. "Bad" can change to "good" faster than you might imagine.

#3 Be accountable to yourself and to others

We all make mistakes. Some little mistakes and some big mistakes. Those mistakes can hang over your head for a long time, too. The difference between someone who moves on and someone who lives with a mistake for a long time is they are accountable.

If you make a mistake and own up to it - whether you own up to yourself or someone else - you'll be able to move on. If it caused a problem between you and your employer, you can admit your mistake and show them that you take responsibility for it. Think about how the mistake happened and then show your employer how you're going to make sure that it doesn't happen again. Acceptance and taking action are the keys to accountability.

#4 Take time for self-reflection

Each day, take a little time to think about your day. How were you feeling? What made you feel that way? Is there anything you can do to change that? If not, how can you be more accepting of the way you feel?

You can journal during this time if you like. Write down your thoughts. They may be helpful later when you look back at them.

Journaling isn't necessary. You can spend your self-refection time drinking a beverage, sitting quietly in your favorite chair, going for a walk, or even having a soak in the tub. The key is is to find a quiet time and place to yourself. Even if it means hiding in the bathroom with headphones on.

#5 Avoid self-blame

It can be easy to create a habit of taking responsibility for things that you have no control over. You might blame yourself for things that others should be accountable for or you might blame yourself for the feelings and emotions of other people. However, much of the time, these are things that you shouldn't take the blame for.

When you stop blaming yourself for things that are beyond your control, it can be very freeing. It gives you the opportunity to let go of other people's pain and hurts and be more honest with yourself.

#6 Practice honesty in all areas of your life, including with yourself

It seems like such a simple thing to just be honest. I'm not talking about the "that dress looks horrible on you," kind of honesty. I'm taking about the kind of honesty that can make your life better.

It isn't easy and sometimes it hurts but when you're honest with yourself and with other people, it prevents more problems than it causes. Hiding the truth can cause irreversible harm in your relationships. Refusing to admit the truth can cause you to make bad decisions for yourself, too.