…Sometimes, intentionally or unintentionally, people decide that because you are in their orbit, they somehow have a say in how you should live yours. They may not speak the words aloud, but their expectations become clear. They believe you should think as they think, choose as they choose, and live as they would live…
… What causes some people to remain in survival mode while others seem to move beyond it and begin to thrive?..
…Shrinking is not always loud. Sometimes it’s subtle. It’s the moment you choose not to share your idea because you know someone will dismiss it. It’s when you downplay your achievements so others don’t feel uncomfortable…
…There’s something powerful about the idea of “reading the room.” We say it so casually, as if it’s obvious. As if everyone can do it. But what does it actually mean?…
…But what happens when that push to be obedient begins to conflict with everything inside of you? What happens when the very path you were told to walk starts to feel unfamiliar… uncomfortable… even untrue?…
…Comfort zones are not prisons. They are starting points. You are allowed to rest there. You are allowed to recover there. But you are not meant to live there permanently…