You’re at a dinner party, and you mention that you recently got a promotion at work. Your friend Sarah immediately laughs and says, “Wow, they must have been really desperate if they picked you!” Everyone chuckles awkwardly, and when you look hurt, she quickly adds, “I’m just kidding! You know I’m joking, right? You’re so … Read more
You’re at brunch with your friend Sarah, excitedly sharing news about a promotion you’ve been working toward for months. Instead of celebrating with you, she responds with, “Oh, that’s nice. I guess they needed someone to fill that spot quickly.” The comment stings, but you brush it off—maybe she’s having a bad day. Later, when … Read more
Picture this: You’re running five minutes late to meet a friend for coffee, and you spend the first ten minutes of your conversation apologizing. “I’m so sorry I’m late, traffic was insane, I’m such a mess today, sorry for complaining about traffic, sorry for making you wait, sorry for being all over the place…” Your … Read more
Picture this: You’re at a networking event, and there’s this person working the room like they’re running for office. Big smile, firm handshake, asking all the right questions about your work. They laugh at your jokes (even the ones that aren’t funny), nod enthusiastically at everything you say, and somehow manage to mention their impressive … Read more
Picture this: You’re in a team meeting where everyone’s throwing around ideas for solving a complex problem. There’s Dave from marketing, who immediately jumps in with three different solutions before anyone else has finished explaining the issue. There’s Sarah from finance, confidently declaring that her approach is “obviously the best way forward” while dismissing others’ … Read more
You’re in a meeting when your colleague interrupts you for the third time, dismissing your idea with “Well, that’s just not realistic.” Your stomach tightens as you feel that familiar shrinking sensation—the one where you want to defend yourself but can’t find the words. Instead, you smile politely and let them take over the conversation, … Read more
Your colleague is explaining why they missed the important deadline, avoiding eye contact and fidgeting with their pen while they talk. Your teenager is telling you about their evening, but their arms are crossed defensively and they keep touching their face. Your partner is reassuring you about working late again, but something about their body … Read more
Your friend texts you at 10 PM asking for a huge favor—helping them move this weekend. You’re exhausted, you had plans, and honestly, you’re a little annoyed that this is the third time this month they’ve asked for last-minute help. But instead of being direct about your feelings or your boundaries, you text back: “Of … Read more
You wake up Monday morning with that familiar pit in your stomach. Another week of going through the motions—the job you complain about but never change, the relationship that feels more like habit than choice, the dreams you keep putting off until “someday when things settle down.” You scroll through social media and see friends … Read more
Picture this: You’re in the middle of a heated discussion with your partner about household responsibilities. Instead of staying focused on the issue, you find yourself bringing up that time three months ago when they forgot to pick up milk, then suddenly you’re crying about how nobody appreciates you, and before you know it, you’ve … Read more
