I grew up getting talked over at home. At school I was bullied and ostracized. After entering the workforce, I’ve been quietly beaten down at every workplace and made to feel like I should STFU at all times.

Today, people ask me why I’m so quiet most of the time and why I don’t attend non-mandatory work functions or teambuildings anymore. I can only smile faintly and fakely while agreeing with them that I must be shy or simply have nothing to contribute.

It is what it is.