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Linda Lorelle's avatar

Love this so much, Erin. Today I parted ways with a member of my team after eight years. When I finally asked myself the question, “is this still working?” the answer was a resounding no. I’ve known it for a while. Why didn’t I act sooner? Out of a sense of misplaced loyalty. Your article today is helping someone who needs to hear it.

Erin Gallagher's avatar

Linda… this gave me chills. ✨

“Out of a sense of misplaced loyalty.”

I think so many women will recognize themselves in those six words. Thank you for sharing something so personal. I’m sending you so much love as you step into what’s next. 💛

Beatriz Terrazas's avatar

So glad I read this! I had never considered staying in a job or in a friendship a matter of consent. I miss the great salary I had at the company I left two years ago ago but the climate had become so toxic and being a high performer just earned you more work — work you hadn’t consented to when hired! It was burning me out. I’ve cut off friendships recently because of the toxicity, too. I didn’t consent to it! Thanks for showing me a different way to view this.

Erin Gallagher's avatar

Beatriz, this is exactly what I hoped this essay would open up—that we’d begin to see consent far beyond our bodies.

“I didn’t consent to it!” ← that part

Thank you for sharing your story. 💛