In my last post, I wrote about resilience and how leaning on community can be just as powerful as pushing through on your own. Lately, I’ve been thinking about another quiet but essential strength: honesty.
Not just the kind of honesty that tells the truth to others, but the kind that asks us to show up fully as ourselves. Since losing my grandma, who was truly one of my best friends, I’ve tried to stay open about what I’m feeling. It’s been hard at times, especially navigating the shift in how I talk about her, but being honest has helped me process the grief. I still feel the sadness, but I also want to keep sharing about her, because so much of who I am is because of her, and there’s still so much life ahead to carry her with me.
Being honest in my grief has made space for deeper, more meaningful conversations. It’s shown me that when we lead with honesty, we invite others to do the same, to share, connect, and feel less alone. It deepened my relationships and reminded me that authenticity is what builds real connection.
Whether it’s acknowledging our limits, admitting when we’re overwhelmed, or simply naming what we need, honesty creates space for empathy, support, and mutual care. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.
Because the relationships that truly sustain us aren’t built on performance, they’re built on presence, honesty, and trust. And when we show up as we really are, we invite others to do the same.