What am I giving up when I act busy by looking at my phone during an awkward moment? Or quietly dismissing myself to go hole up somewhere else?

Tonight I was at a friend’s going-away party, and at one point I was sitting in a group and thought about leaving b/c it was a bit awkward. But because we all sat there until the awkwardness passed, we had some great conversation, and grew closer as friends.

Despite their being uncomfortable, I’m coming to think that friendships are formed in the awkward moments.