When we have the position, privilege, and ability to be able to do so, I would like to encourage each of us to draw hard lines in the sand and then enforce those boundaries.

There is nothing more empowering in a toxic and abusive work environment than saying no. When they

try to come in the front door, close it. When they try to sneak in through the side window, shut it. Block off avenues for ongoing harm and abuse. Tell them no, lay your boundary lines, mean it and enforce it.

They might ask nicely, they might offer a bonus, but more than

likely they will try to guilt you. They will make you think others are doing more work for less money. They might insinuate you are lazy. Sometimes they will hint that you are ungrateful or selfish. They might pretend that the scenario is your fault or that others don’t see

anything wrong with it. Often times they will abuse your altruism towards your co-workers.

None of that is reality.

Those are examples of classic gaslighting. Classic manipulation tactics. A means of controlling people they see as weak, disposable people-pleasers.

There is

NOTHING more empowering than insisting on safe working conditions, saying no to
unreasonable requests, laying down boundaries and enforcing them. THAT is how you get your power back.

It is not always comfortable. It’s certainly not easy to do. But that is how we take our power

back. Say no. Mean it. Enforce it.

Every time you flex that muscle it gets stronger and you grow more and more comfortable asserting boundaries.

Now more than ever, it is a challenging exercise in self-care. But I promise you that now more than ever it is mandatory.

Especially for HCP.

If it comes down to you or them, choose you. It it becomes a choice between your well-being and that of a corporation, choose you. If it becomes a choice between your family or the job, choose your family.

Insist on your own worth. Nobody else will do that

for you. Only you can shepherd your well being.

They are banking on the fact that you won’t want to burden your colleagues with extra work by leaving. You did not create this scenario. They did. They will not take care of your needs, that is your responsibility.

It is hard.

Don’t get me wrong. Now more than ever, they need us.

Say no. Choose you. When needed, walk away. Flex that muscle.

Do no harm, yes. But do no harm to yourself first.

Do no harm but also take no shit. Choose you.