The Avoided Truth: A 3-Step Exercise for a Clearer Mind

We all have them: the nagging truths we push to the back of our minds. It might be a difficult conversation, a financial reality, or a feeling about a relationship. We avoid them because they feel overwhelming, but the act of avoiding them often creates more anxiety than the truth itself. This simple, 3-step writing exercise is designed to help you gently confront a truth you've been avoiding and find a clear path forward.

Why We Avoid Hard Truths (and Why It Makes Things Worse)

Avoidance is a natural human response to fear. We worry about the consequences, the discomfort, or the change that a truth might bring. But this avoidance acts like a tax on our energy and attention, creating a low-grade, persistent anxiety. By naming the truth, you take back control.

A 3-Step Writing Exercise to Find Clarity

Step 1: Name the Avoided Truth

Open a blank page and complete this sentence: "The truth I am avoiding is..." Be as honest and specific as you can. Examples might be: "The truth I am avoiding is that I am unhappy in my job," or "The truth I am avoiding is that my friendship with [Name] has become one-sided."

Step 2: Explore the Worst-Case Scenario

Next, give your fear a voice. Write down what you're afraid will happen if you fully acknowledge this truth. This is called purposeful catastrophizing. Often, when we write down our worst fears, we realize they are either not as scary as they seemed, or that we are resilient enough to handle them.

Step 3: Identify One Tiny, Doable Action

You don't have to solve the whole problem today. What is the smallest possible step you could take? If you're unhappy in your job, maybe it's updating one bullet point on your resume. If you're avoiding a conversation, maybe it's writing down what you want to say in an unsent letter first. The goal is to break the paralysis.

Example Walkthrough: "I'm Avoiding a Difficult Conversation"

• Step 1 (The Truth): "The truth I am avoiding is that I need to tell my partner I don't want to move to a new city."
• Step 2 (Worst-Case): "My worst fear is that they will be so angry and disappointed that we will break up."
• Step 3 (Tiny Action): "My first step is to write down my feelings and needs so I am clear on my own position before I talk to them."

Next Step: A Guided Experience

This exercise is the foundation of Letter L05: The One You Have Avoided. If you want a guided experience to help you confront a nagging truth with clarity and courage, the app can walk you through it.