The Lies We Tell Ourselves
- Tim Thürnau
- Feb 18
- 3 min read
"You can’t fix what you refuse to admit is broken."
Hello friend,
Let’s talk about the stories we tell ourselves. You know, the ones that go, “I’ll start tomorrow,” or “I’m not good enough for that,” or even “It’s not really my fault.”
These lies—whether big or small—become the scripts we live by. And the scariest part? We don’t even realize we’re doing it.
I’ve been there. I’ve caught myself stuck in patterns, making excuses to stay comfortable or avoid failure. It’s human. But it’s also what holds us back from the growth, joy, and success we deeply crave.
Why Do We Lie to Ourselves?
Lying to yourself is a survival mechanism. It’s easier to rewrite reality than face it head-on. Admitting that you’re stuck, scared, or falling short is painful, so your brain says, “Let’s just tweak the narrative a little.”
But here’s the problem: these self-deceptions snowball. One lie leads to another, and suddenly, you’re living a story that isn’t even true.
Common Lies and Their Cost
Here are a few classics you might recognize:
“I don’t have time.” (Translation: I’m avoiding something uncomfortable.)
“I’m fine.” (Translation: I’m scared to admit I’m not okay.)
“I can’t do it.” (Translation: I’m afraid of trying and failing.)
Every one of these lies comes with a cost—your potential. Because as long as you stay stuck in these false beliefs, you can’t move forward.
How to Wing It
Breaking free from self-deception takes courage, but it’s worth it. Here’s how to start:
Catch the Lies: Pay attention to the excuses and stories you tell yourself. What are you avoiding or afraid to admit?
Name the Truth: Be brutally honest with yourself, even if it’s uncomfortable. The truth sets you free—it really does.
Take One Small Step: Once you’ve faced the truth, do something about it. Start small, but start somewhere.
Final Thoughts
The stories we tell ourselves can either trap us or transform us. The choice is ours. By facing the truth—however messy or uncomfortable—we can rewrite the narrative and create a life we’re proud of.
So, let’s stop lying to ourselves and start living fully.
Bridging Worlds
If you want to see me wing it, I do a podcast with cool people. You should subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.
This week on Bridging Worlds, I had the pleasure of speaking with Annabell Victoria Wünsche, the co-founder of Studio Bej, a brand redefining home textiles by blending design, functionality, and sustainability.
What struck me the most about Annabell was her calmness and deep sense of reflection throughout our conversation. She carries a strong trust in life, the world, and herself – a quiet confidence that shapes the way she makes decisions, builds her brand, and approaches challenges.
One of the standout moments? "If you open one door, another will follow – and if you never open it, you might miss the best opportunity of your life."
In this episode, Annabell shares how she built Studio Bej into a Love Brand that resonates deeply with people. We dive into:
Why intuition can be your best business strategy
How sustainability and design can go hand in hand
The key challenges and lessons she learned in building her brand
For me, this conversation was incredibly grounding and inspiring. Annabell’s way of trusting the process and embracing the unknown is something we can all take to heart.
🎧 Don’t miss this episode with Annabell Victoria Wünsche—tune in on Friday on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts!
Keep winging it,
Tim