When we communicate with others, we bring our own baggage. The answer to “why weren’t you clear with me about X?” or “why didn’t you tell me y?” is often something like “I was too insecure.” That might have to be with the person hiding something not feeling confident, or it might be because the recipient of the information has already shown that they will not respond well.

The thing is, we can only change our own response. And what’s better? To live in fear, or to be open and honest and even tell the other person that you don’t like their response?

We all screw up. Admitting it is hard. Not doing so might just be harder.