why do I tell white lies?

I realised recently, getting caught in a random white lie that I have a really bad habit of telling white lies. Like, they're inconsequential and rly dumb, stuff like saying I took a different train line from the one I really took just to make conversation. Which, idk I think it's ok to exaggerate and lie (harmlessly) a little if it helps you come up with conversation topics but like... I realised it's become such a habit of mine I barely even notice I do it. Sometimes I lie just cuz I can. like tbh wth is wrong with me HHAha.

It's just white lies though, when it comes to serious matters around people I care about, I find it really hard to lie because the guilt is there. (unless its to my parents I feel no guilt lying to them cuz they're controlling and idrc)

But yeah, I have a hyperactive imagination and it causes me to create white lies and interesting but completely made up stories, and I get so irritated at myself but its become so habitual its a lil hard to stop... is this weird?

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drymer · 56-60, M

I don't think "weird" is the word. Seems like you're a compulsive liar. The lies may be inconsequential but sooner or later people will figure out you lied to them and after that happens they'll never trust you again, so it has real consequences... I've come across a couple of compulsive liars in two different jobs (in two different countries actually) and once people figure out that half of the things they say are not true, no one trusts them with anything. People feel cheated and made a fool of, not a good feeling. It will be hard for you to make meaningful friendships.

firelaw · 22-25, F

@drymer yeah actually I thought about it, compulsive lying haha, but I do have a lot of good friends. The thing is, it's not that I haven't been caught, it's more like if I get caught my friends would be more like 'why would you lie about that random thing?', more than anything, and it hasn't rly affected my friendships cuz in deeper things I'm more open and honest about fears and feelings than anyone else. i don;t really know how to explain haha but sometimes it feels like I give up so much personal truth about myself to people I lie about random things to make up for the deeper stuff? idk

SinlessOnslaught · 26-30, M

That could be a handful of things. One thing I’m thinking is that maybe you have social anxiety and/or are too passive and so you agree with people because you feel like you have to. Like, they ask you, “Did you take [such and such] train?” And you feel pressured to say yes. Am I wrong?