everybody says, "communication is key" but no one talks about how scary real communication is. it's not cute texts or long calls. it's "here's where you hurt me, here's what i need, here's what i'm afraid to say." it's swallowing pride, risking rejection, and choosing honesty over comfort. that's why most people avoid it. real communication asks you to be vulnerable. it asks you to say the things that could change everything. it means having uncomfortable conversations. because most relationships don't end from too much honesty. they end from things that were never said.