Ever happened when your best friend asked you how’s she looking and you said wonderful, even when you didn’t like their outfit and makeup?
Count how many times you deceive yourself or your surroundings. How often do you create a false narrative in your head and agree with that? Plenty of time, right? Well, this is what humans are made up of. Deception. Deception is the only ultimate truth of human nature. Humans, including us every minute hide their emotions, run away from the truth, and don’t show their intentions.
The History of Deception
Deception has existed on the planet since the beginning of mankind. It’s not only humans but even animals deceive each other to feed themselves. From politicians manipulating public opinion to marketers crafting persuasive advertisements, deception influences and controls any common case. Maybe when you agree with your friend to go to a party, even when your heart wants to seek rest at home, whenever you agree with society avoiding your truth, you walk away a step from being honest to yourself.
Here are the reasons why humans often deceive themselves.
1. The race for perfection
The ultimate reason why human often deceives themselves and their soul is their race to seek perfection. Humans want to appear perfect to society. They run away from their imperfections and flaws. Their non-acceptance of themselves often results in self-hatred and deception.
2. To shape social dynamics
Undoubtedly, deception plays a significant role in our lives, shaping our interactions, relationships, and even our sense of self. Thus, it holds the superpower to shape social dynamics. We wear masks to fit in, conform to societal expectations, and present ourselves in a way that garners acceptance and approval. We create a persona that society appreciates hiding our struggles, flaws, and vulnerabilities.
3. To fight a battle within
Most of us are deceiving ourselves just because of our self-doubts and self-delusion. We deceive ourselves as well, falling victim to cognitive biases. And, do you know, what’s more, worst, this self-deception creates a constant internal struggle, hindering personal growth and undermining self-confidence?
Embrace authenticity: The key to overcoming deception.
In her book, Becoming Flawesome,” Kristina Mand-Lakhiani states that,
The only person whose rejection you have to fear is your own. As long as you can accept yourself, the world has no choice but to accept you as well. And if it doesn’t, you won’t give a damn anyway.
Thus, to overcome deception, first, you need to #becomingflawesome. Overcome your fear of societal rejection and self-doubt. We aren’t condemned to a life of falsehood. Embracing your authenticity and #becomingflawesome is the only way to overcome our deceptive nature. We can live a peaceful and progressive life by acknowledging our tendencies to deceive and being mindful of the deception of others.
Summing up, deception is a complex aspect of human nature. It has evolved alongside us, serving various purposes throughout history. While deception can be manipulative and harmful, it also presents opportunities for growth and self-reflection. All you need to navigate the intricate web of truth and lies. Thus, you can uncover the deeper layers of our humanity and strive for a more genuine existence.
