I stopped pretending I like guessing games

I used to worry that asking for clarity would make something feel too serious too quickly. So sometimes I stayed quiet and tried to interpret behaviour instead.

That usually created more stress than the actual conversation would have. I have learned that someone being able to communicate honestly is one of the quickest ways for me to relax around them.

Clarity does not mean having every answer immediately. It can be as simple as saying what you want, being honest when you are unsure, and not making the other person decode basic intentions.

The older I get, the more attractive straightforward kindness becomes.