it’s the unqualified, newly promoted manager asking me to falsify documents because the client requested it.

it’s the one i thought i loved only to learn that my grief over losing my dad was too overwhelming for him and his solution was to seek solace in someone else.

it’s the same guy who helped himself to my baba’s gold coins after i kicked him out of my condo.

it’s the meeting full of men who argue with everything i say until a man says the exact same thing and suddenly they’re all listening.

it’s the guy who can’t get past thinking breasts were made for him and not for their true intention, feeding littles.

it’s the ex who equates net worth with self-worth.

it’s the man who asked to speak to my brother when i was coordinating my dad’s burial because only men can be qualified to do these things.

it’s the creep who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

it’s the furniture installer who spoke to me like a child after calling him out for doing the job incorrectly. (this day will live in infamy in my home. if you know, you know. SIR.)

it’s the client who hated me because i’m assertive and woman aren’t allowed to be.

it’s the guy at work trying to convince me to perform illegal tasks, even after i clearly stated multiple times that i wasn’t comfortable with the ask.

it’s the same guy who asked “who told?” when management called him out on it. (i took great delight in telling him it was me)

it’s the guy who assumed i owed him sex because he flew me out to visit him.

it’s the employee at the car dealership who speaks only to my husband.

it’s the client who wants me, a very experienced (and excellent – no time for modesty, this is a post of bullet points) editor, to justify my cost when he can hire someone right out of college to do the work for less. (you get what you pay for, in this instance).

it’s the reason i started to hate work.

it’s the reason i don’t want to return.