I just find it interesting how there are so many different ways people will try to justify their actions when those actions are not always “okay”. Don’t get me wrong— I do this, too. Everyone does. I got this info while meeting with my awesome descipler and wanted to share.

• Defending: “I don’t like to be wrong— and I hate it when other people tell me I am wrong. Let’s just talk about what I’m doing right…because I really don’t like to talk about what I struggle with.” (Not willing to self-reflect or talk about difficult things in life.)
• Pretending: “My looks, my words, my actions are really just to impress everyone. I don’t know who I am, but I know the image other people like— so I’ll be that image.” (Used to impress. Maybe unaware of their own image.)
• Hiding: “I have a rep. It’s not as perfect as I would like, and I might be rejected if people knew the real me. So I’m just going to put on my mask so that I can hide myself from everyone, including me.” (Different from pretending, because it is about hiding personal shame.)
• Blaming: “Sure…I’ve done some dumb things. But at least I’m not as bad as that other guy over there.” (Probably one of my main defenses, due to pride. Also, a fear of rejection. Not being able to own up to it.)
• Minimizing: “Psh. It’s not that bad. Everyone is doing it—it’s considered normal, now.” (Things get less attention they deserve, and mounts up to a point of being overwhelming.)
• Exaggerating:“I LOVE attention. So I tend to think I am a bigger deal than I really am. Everything I say is usually SUPER awesome or SUPER awful to get people to listen to me.” (Things often get more attention then they deserve= stress/anxiety.)

Eh, just something to reflect on. Sorry for the reality check— I’ll write about something happier next time. ha.