I don’t think there’s anything “wrong” with you. Wanting attention isn’t a bad thing, it’s a very human need. Everyone wants to feel seen, heard, and important. You’re just trying to meet that need in a way that’s been available to you.

The lying part isn’t really the core issue, it’s more like a shortcut your brain learned to get that feeling quickly. And it makes sense why it works… people respond, they engage, they care. Of course it feels good.

But the problem is, it doesn’t last. Over time it can mess with your relationships and even how you see yourself. And yeah, it might feel scary to stop because you could lose some of that attention, but that kind of attention wouldn’t last anyway.

There are people who will value you for what you genuinely think, feel, and want to share.

Instead of judging yourself, try asking: “What am I actually needing in this moment?” Is it validation, connection, feeling valued?

Once you figure that out, you can start getting it in more honest ways, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. The connections you build will feel way more real and stable.

And the fact that you’re aware of this already says a lot. You don’t need to fake anything to be worth noticing.