Candid truth: you don’t get to decide how your words land. Even if it was a joke. Even if you “didn’t mean it like that.” Intent doesn’t erase impact. If someone tells you they’re hurt, the only appropriate response is empathy—not defense. Real connection starts when we care more about how we affect others than how justified we feel. The ripple effect is real—even if you didn’t see it. Let's talk about what that means.

There is a weird, quiet truth about adult friendships and adult loneliness—there is no social script for saying "Hey I'm 33 and I'm lonely".