Why We Stay Where We Don’t Belong

“You didn’t imagine it—
it wasn’t safe.”

I wish someone had told me that sooner.

We don’t stay in misaligned spaces because we’re weak—we stay because we’ve been conditioned to.

Conditioning:

To question our instincts

To shrink ourselves

To tolerate discomfort

To keep proving we
deserve to be there

The comments that STILL sting….

“You have the worst memory of anyone I’ve ever met” while learning a new task.

”Your volunteer hours in your kids classroom doesn’t look good for your team” when requesting Friday mornings off.

”That woman is going nowhere, you need to get rid of her” after publically defending my business strategy.

“There are moments when it feels like you’re the only one in the room. And in those moments, just showing up can feel like survival. ”

You know you have something valuable to offer—something to say, to build, to shift—but the risk of speaking up can feel heavy. Maybe even paralyzing.

But here’s the truth: your voice matters. Not once it’s polished or perfectly packaged, but now. As it is. Saying the thing—especially when it’s hard—is an act of courage. And every time you do, you make more space for others to do the same.

“So when it feels daunting, start small. Say one true thing. Let that be enough for today.”

When have you taken the risk to be seen?
To be heard, even when your voice was shaking?

Think back—when was a time you didn’t wait for the room to feel safe before you spoke up?
Where were you? What was at stake? What did it cost you—and what did it give you?

Let yourself linger there. There’s something in that moment worth honoring… and maybe, repeating.