07/02/2025
For 11 years, I worked tirelessly, taking on more tasks, more responsibilities, and more designations, but never received the promotion I hoped for. I truly loved my work, and I enjoyed what I was doing. But despite my passion and dedication, I watched as my colleagues, most with fewer responsibilities, were promoted one to three steps up, while I stayed in the same position. At one point, I was the only one not promoted, and it hurt knowing that no matter how much I gave, it was never enough.
Sometimes, I found myself comparing my workload to theirs. I was overloaded with tasks, while others had much less to do. It felt unfair, and the harder I worked, the more invisible I became. Despite all the extra effort, nothing changed—
no promotion, just an overwhelming amount of additional work.
The hardest part wasn’t just the work—it was missing time with my kids. I couldn’t attend their school events or meetings because I was always working, and I was afraid to take time off, worried about losing pay. At that time, every penny mattered, and I felt I couldn’t afford to be absent, even for family moments.
In the end, I decided to quit—not just because of the workload, but because the toxic environment drained me. Towards the end, I was given a new designation— a new title with added responsibilities, but no real promotion. I had no say in the decision, and it felt like I was just a puppet, being used for more work with no meaningful change. Whenever I tried to make changes or bring new ideas to the department, they were always shot down by my boss. Every suggestion or plan I proposed was dismissed as "not good enough," while he insisted that his way was always the best. There were also times when it felt like he was blocking or sabotaging my plans. He wouldn’t approve them and never supported any of the programs I was organizing, often refusing to attend or get involved. On top of that, he would make plans with my subordinates without informing me, leaving me out of the loop.
When my boss found out I submitted my resignation, he suddenly offered me a promotion—three steps higher than my current rank. But by that point, it felt like too little, too late. He only recognized my value when he saw I was leaving, and that didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t accept the offer because it showed me that I wasn’t truly valued until I made the decision to walk away.
It took me a long time to realize that no job is worth sacrificing your peace, health, and time with loved ones, maybe because I was too in love with my work. I thought if I just kept giving more, things would change, but I’ve learned that your worth isn’t tied to your job or others' opinions. It’s okay to walk away from a place that doesn’t value you and find somewhere you’re truly appreciated—not just as an employee, but as a person. Life is too short to stay in an environment that drains you. True fulfillment comes from balance—work, health, and time with the people you love. Don’t wait until you’re at the breaking point to realize your worth.
🎨 by strawhatlady
Embrace change in quiet transformation.
