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"No one said I had to leave. But I wasn't invited to stay"
Miriam's story of returning to her HR role - and slowly realizing it had been taken from her.
I returned from maternity leave ready to pick up where I left off. Same role, same team, same me - just with a more perspective and a bit less sleep.
But it didn't take long to realize something had shifted.
Projects I used to lead had been handed off. Meetings I was always part of were happening without me. I found out about decisions after they were already made. No one told me I was no longer needed - but no one made space for me to step back in, either.
At first, I blamed myself. Maybe I was imagining it. Maybe I needed to prove myself all over again. So I tried to stay quiet. Be patient. Work harder.
But the truth is, I wasn't imagining it. I was being slowly sidelined - in a place where I used to feel confident and valued.
Six months later, I left.
Not because I wanted to. But because I felt invisible. Like I didn't belong anymore.
Leaving wasn't a bold career move. It was a survival decision. And even though I walked aways quietly, it was one of the loudest moments of my life.
It's not always a dramatic exit. Sometimes you're just slowly pushed out - until you decide to push yourself forward instead.
Today' I'm still figuring out what's next. But I know one thing now I wasn't weak for leaving. I was strong for seeing the truth - and choosing myself.
If this story feels familiar...
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