Identifying the evils in our lives

I've spent some time these past few weeks analyzing and possibly overanalyzing
certain elements in my life. It really isn't until you look back on things after
a long period of time or avoidance that you really see them in a honest light.

How can we get beyond what people tell us and recognize for ourselfs what is
really happening to us or around us? How do we see through the bull shit?
Is it actually possible.

I believe it is to some extent. I'm starting to see things that I went through
or used to do and say "oh my god, what was I thinking?!"
I then swear to never make that mistake again, but how do I do that exactly.
What is the best method for actually identifying the poisons in our life
with out the bias that sway our hearts.
This is more of an actual question than a header...

Its like looking back at picture from before you lost weight or when you
wore a really dreadful dress to a party and wonder why your friends lied
to you and told you that you looked great. Maybe they felt that you made
them look a whole lot better or they were drunk, who knows.

But my goal in the coming days is to attempt with all my power to avoid
these pitfalls and objectively view all my situations.
I cannot fall back into the horrible cycles of what I once did.
I've got to break out and make some changes. Huzzah indeed my friends.