Notice what you lie about. It’s a map of what you’re ashamed of.

People do not lie at random. The subjects you shade are the ones where you think the truth would cost you something: money, grades, how much you care, how little you know. Looked at together, those topics sketch the places you feel most exposed, which is uncomfortable and also clarifying. Shame is doing the choosing, not dishonesty in general.

Over the next week, just notice the moments you soften something, without scolding yourself for it. Later, see what they have in common. Then pick the easiest one and tell the plain version once, to somebody safe, and see whether it costs what you expected.