[thatsheelpatel]

I've committed to telling the truth, even when it's difficult or unpleasant. I no longer have to keep track of what I had said or what I should say and I know nothing's going to come back and bite me later.

It means at times I deal with the unpleasantness but I'd rather that than fearing whether it will come out later. This book by Sam Harris was a large influence https://www.samharris.org/lying.

This wasn't an easy change to make, because we all know it can be really easy to lie and move past an issue at times, but the trust that builds over time when people know you will be truthful is incredible and freeing for both parties.

One of the other benefits that stemmed from this is I no longer feel as though I'm robbing people of the information they need to make a conscious decision.

[hemling]

Interesting answer! I think this is even truer when it comes to lying to myself.

Trying to pretend something that does not match reality can create enormous stress. I realised this one day when I had rather strong feelings of being burned-out without actually being in stressful situations (like working long hours etc). All my stress came from inside me.