Believing something doesn't make it true. This simple fact seems increasingly forgotten in our era of "my truth" declarations, where personal feelings have somehow gained equal footing with objective reality.
What started as a well-intentioned way to honor different perspectives has morphed into something far more troubling. We track the evolution from "I believe" to "that's my truth," examining how this subtle shift created a dangerous loophole in accountability. When confronted with evidence of harmful behavior, many retreat to "that's just my truth" as if subjective perception negates the impact of actions.
The weaponization of personal truth takes multiple forms. Beyond dodging responsibility, people use "their truth" to manipulate conversations through emotional blackmail or to make serious allegations without providing evidence. Perhaps most dangerous is how this approach justifies illogical thinking and harmful ideologies by placing personal belief systems beyond examination.
We distinguish between three critical types of truth: objective truth that exists regardless of belief, subjective truth based on personal experience, and distorted truth where feelings masquerade as facts. Understanding these distinctions reveals why "my truth" culture threatens our ability to solve problems collectively—we can't address climate change, public health crises, or social inequity if we can't agree on basic reality.
For those tired of navigating this frustrating landscape, we offer practical strategies: asking for evidence behind claims, gently separating feelings from facts in conversations, and sometimes allowing reality itself to be the teacher. Because at day's end, your feelings absolutely matter—but they don't change facts. You're entitled to your own experiences, not your own version of reality. When was the last time you changed your mind because facts proved you wrong?

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