Here’s how I learned this lesson. I adored my friend. I was wide open with her… heart on the table, no filter. She wasn’t. And for a while, I didn’t question it. Then something happened. She wasn’t honest about it — and when I confronted her, she doubled down. I brushed it off, but my gut told me to create some distance. And instead of asking her what was really going on, I let my pride and my assumptions take over. I told myself, “If she wanted to fix it, she would.” Meanwhile, she was thinking the exact same thing. When we finally sat down — no walls, no performance — just two women talking straight… it took five minutes to see the truth: Our whole “falling out” was built on misunderstandings we never clarified, and hurt feelings we didn’t admit because neither of us wanted to look needy. Five minutes. Five minutes that could’ve saved months of silence. That’s when it hit me: honesty saves friendships more than apologies do. Apologies come after the damage. Honesty prevents it. And ever since, I choose honesty first. It’s not always comfortable… but it has protected every friendship worth keeping. Do you agree? Tell me in the comments. Dress - @nordstromrack @easyspiritofficial positiveaging lastingfriendships