I stopped telling ‘little white lies’ for two weeks. This is what I learned

Some of the most common reasons for lying are that we want other people to like us and we don’t want to make them feel bad. Illustration: Angelica Alzona/Guardian Design; Images via CSA Images/blackred/Getty Images

I never lie. Except when declining an invitation – then I always lie.

Once, my fiance, Jared, and I were invited to a dinner we didn’t want to attend. We were worn out from traveling, and some of the other guests required a lot of energy to be around. I replied in the group text that we already had plans – but we were “so sorry to miss!” Jared, sitting next to me on the couch, gawped.