How to Get Real

We live in a society where it's often hard to tell whether people are genuine or not. More disturbing still is when you can't even decide if you are being the "real" you. Too often, you may feel pressured to conform.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Decide that you are no longer going to pretend to like something or someone in order to be a "people-pleaser." It's good to want to keep the peace and not cause strife in a situation. However, if you find yourself always pretending to enjoy what you really do not enjoy, it's time to get real. You must be true to yourself and who you really are if you want to reach your full potential in life.
2. Speak the truth in love if you want to get real. Sometimes if a person just does not mesh with your personality, you must make changes. That often requires parting ways with some people. It doesn't mean that either of you is a bad person. It's just that you don't relate well with one another. Life is too short to spend years in relationships that are draining you emotionally.
3. Learn to say "no" when necessary. If you never tell anyone no about anything, you are going to wear yourself out. Of course, there are times to put others first. But you count, too. Get real by realizing that your needs are important also. It's not emotionally or physically healthy to constantly put yourself last. You'll end up an exhausted and bitter person if you lose the real you by never saying "yes" to what you need for your own well-being.
4. Get real by making sure that you are thinking realistically. It's great to be optimistic. But you must also be realistic or you can run your life off into a ditch, so to speak. For instance, don't allow your natural optimism to determine your spending habits. Look at your budget and get real about what you can reasonably afford to spend. Then you'll be on solid ground financially.