Every day, I find myself liking one more person at work a little less. It’s not something I plan—it just happens. Maybe it’s the way they speak over others, or how they pretend to care only when someone’s watching. It adds up. Slowly, the space feels heavier, the small talk feels forced, and the smiles feel fake. I still try to stay professional, but deep down, I’m counting the days until I no longer have to see them.
Well… if by “ladylike” you mean quiet when I disagree, smiling when I’m uncomfortable, or shrinking so others feel bigger—then no, thank you. I’ll speak up when it matters, laugh too loud if I feel like it, and take up space I’ve earned. Being a woman doesn’t come with a rulebook written by someone else. I am who I am—strong, kind, assertive—and that’s more than enough.
Sometimes, colleagues start to develop feelings and casually ask for your number. It’s awkward—especially when you’ve never given that kind of signal. You’re just being polite, doing your job, staying respectful. But somehow, that’s mistaken for interest. It puts you in a strange spot: balancing professionalism with boundaries, trying not to offend while also making it clear. You shouldn’t have to walk that line, but too often, you do. And you learn to say no—firmly, calmly, without guilt.
