The truth is hard to define — there is your truth, my truth and THE truth. All feelings are real to the individual experiencing them. However, this does not make them true. In order to be healthy and happy, we first need to realize that feelings are not facts.

One of the biggest fears I hear from people about why they choose to not speak the truth, is that it ‘won’t matter’; that the other person won’t get it, or they will do what they want anyway. Speaking your truth is all about knowing yourself well enough to make sense of how you feel and then having the self esteem and respect to say what is on your mind and in your heart. If you don’t let others know how you feel and what you need, they can’t give you those things or at least negotiate with you.

The only obligation you have in any relationship is to let someone know how you feel, what you want, and where you are coming from. In other words: speak your truth!

Karen Kindred Karen Kindred has over forty years of experience in individual and couples therapy. Karen is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. Her approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. Karen recently retired and wants to share her therapeutic tools with as many people as possible. Karen holds a masters degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Utah.