There's No Coming Back from This

by Ann Garvin

But I am someone who says yes against her will because I don’t know how to say no, this is the worst time of my life, and I don’t want to spill my guts and be that tragic girl whose life recently hit the skids.

I tried breathing like a yogi, but who was I kidding. I tried to examine my anxiety as if it were an item at the grocery cart. To read its label: a negative feeling that you don’t need. Put that package back on the shelf and breathe.

women were always judged by their outward appearance.

I didn’t know how to say no.

trade-off about being good at change. Although you might adapt, you could never let your guard down.

The blame ball, in the game of life, rolled downhill and, as often as not, hit the victim.

I did not think everyone would hate me.

I’m going to give up people pleasing if that’s okay with everyone.

“I keep thinking that if I work hard, that will speak for itself.

I did not understand the politics of this place, and the stakes were too high.

Sometimes you made decisions outside of what you wanted, and you did it with integrity.