self-lies

Self-lies are the falsehoods people tell themselves, often unconsciously, to avoid uncomfortable truths or protect their self-image.

Unlike lies told to others, self-lies involve a kind of internal deception where one part of the mind conceals reality from another.

His self-lies about the relationship kept him from seeing how unhappy he'd become.

The term captures the paradox of being both deceiver and deceived, a common feature of denial, rationalization, and wishful thinking.