Key points

Cognitive dissonance is the emotional disturbance of holding one or more seemingly incompatible messages.

We experience cognitive dissonance at various points throughout our lives.

When faced with contradiction, we attempt to reconcile our views in ways that distort our thinking.

By resisting easy narratives, we can relate more skillfully to our experiences of cognitive dissonance.

Cognitive dissonance is everywhere — but it’s not well understood. When we’re aware of it, it can be a powerful motivator for behavioral change and help us enhance insight. When we're not, it can cause us to rationalize harmful behavior and keep us stuck in the same painful cycles.

Many of us live with the mental and emotional strain of holding conflicting truths about ourselves and our wor

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