Have you ever told a white lie to be kind, to protect the feelings of others, or maybe to simply avoid stigma? You're not alone.

For some living with a chronic condition, telling a white lie can be a way to save one's strength. Sometimes it's easier not to share your unvarnished truth, especially when it doesn't hurt anyone else.

Have you ever found yourself saying any of the following?

1. "No, no. I can do it myself."
2. "I'm not scared/nervous/anxious/unsure."
3. "I'm fine. Really."
4. "Don't worry. I'm used to this."
5. "No, I'm not in much pain."

Here are some conversations from the community about this topic:

“I get so frustrated when I have to do things that make me hurt worse because I don’t have a visible illness, and people expect me to act and perform as if I was OK because they either don’t believe or don’t care that I feel so bad.”

“I feel that sometimes it is necessary to give yourself "permission" to power-down for a predetermined amount of time.”

“Taking it a little slow today since when I woke up the pain was just about a 9!”

Why do you choose a white lie over sharing your true feelings?
What do you wish you could say instead?