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John Stringer's avatar

I had to do something recently that I knew I would be embarrassed about, and put it off for WEEKS even though I was potentially endangering my health. One day last week I steeled myself to go out and do the thing, and at almost the last moment I came up with this genius plan to avoid the embarrassment (no need for details, it involved the use of a jam jar and a shoulder bag with a secret compartment). I was both relieved that I had a plan and angry with myself for not having come up with it weeks before, instead of fretting and procrastinating.

And then, weirdly, at the precise moment when the genius plan was due to be activated, I had a sudden compulsion to just tell the truth instead. And I did.

Nobody cared. Nobody was embarrassed (including me). No harm was done. And it turns out that my health is fine, too.

I came home AMAZED. Telling the truth was so easy. Everything was fine. I had no idea that being truthful actually felt so much better. I must try doing it again.

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