Rule Number One

Rule #1 Be Honest

That is perhaps the best and most difficult advice I can give you. Honesty is easily the most overlooked, forgotten, and under-appreciated thing we do, but it the most important.

Be honest with yourself first!

We are all guilty of taking on too much and finding ourselves wishing we hadn't later when it is too late. But those of us that find ourselves here permanently are not only lying to themselves, they are out of touch with who they are!

Why? Because their entire existence has been one long string of lies. When you lie to yourself constantly it becomes second nature. You no longer ignore that inner voice, you don't even hear it. You suffer the consequences, so you let it slide...because quite honestly those that lie to themselves that much just don't feel good about themselves period.

It starts as a defense mechanism to cope..."I'm fine, really, that's just a flesh wound, no no I don't need to have you here with me, it's ok, I'll be fine..."and on and on until you start to believe it. You feel better .... for awhile

Then you find yourself empty inside and start to self medicate. Either with food, meds, alcohol or whatever your mind tells you will numb the pain. (those are just the most common, not at all the complete list)

It all started because you were dishonest with your self and probably because your self value was destroyed. To get that back you have to start being honest. With yourself, and Everyone else too!

So Rule #1 is:
Be Honest

Start today, and don't stop. It will feel weird...you'll start getting the tingles of that inner voice back, and then you'll feel selfish...but don't stop. Just keep on being honest! You won't be the most popular, but you'll start to heal finally.