Denial can ruin your life if what you are denying impedes your happiness, causes you sadness, and generally creates an unhealthy and unproductive life and relationship. Denial is a defense mechanism that in a temporary use can help you gather your thoughts, gain perspective, and monitor the issues that are causing you alarm. But longterm denial can ruin your life or make your life tougher than it needs to be. Self-compassion is your ticket out of denial and into making choices that are kinder and more productive for the best life you can live.