One of the ladies at my work has surprised me.

Growing up my mum always used to say that I spend too much time focusing on the bullies. They weren't my focus, they would always do things to hurt or upset me, leaning me feeling really uncomfortable and messing with my confidence. So much so I just didn't understand why they were so mean to me, especially when I hadn't done anything to warrant their behaviour.


This has long continued into adulthood. For a period of time starting at this job, I tried to get to know the staff. One woman was a little standoffish with me.

I ended up making things worse not knowing her partner was joining our workplace so me being friendly was misconstrued as flirting. It made things worse, she ignored me and gave me dirty looks. Which knocked me confidence. I was then told this person was her boyfriend. Others told me I hadn't been inappropriate but she was 'funny' with other women who spoke to him.
One day I set it upon myself to not allow her to mess with my head and I decided to kill her with kindness.
I complimented her and really tried to get to know her on a more personal level.

And it worked. She finally came to realise that actually I was being friendly.
She and her boyfriend would come to my desk and chat with me about a number of different things. Although we didn't necessarily get to the point where we'd meet up. We could have a laugh together.

When I announced I was pregnant she was one of the people that was incredibly over the moon for me.

I was so shocked, she would check in with me and ask me if I needed anything.

Just wanted to know how I was.

This week cabin fever has been really intense anyways she emailed me out of the blue, checking in with me to make sure I was ok.

I understand that people don't have to like me, but this situation in particular was so unkind. It really bothered me because it had me doubting myself.
I'm glad things have changed and as another woman she can see I'm not a threat or after anything, I just wanted to be apart of the team.