“When the Job You Love No Longer Feels Safe: Navigating Change and Conflict in the Workplace”
I need to talk about the quiet heartbreak that happens when a job you’ve genuinely loved begins to feel unfamiliar… even unsafe.
This past week has been emotionally exhausting.
We’ve lost familiar faces and welcomed new ones, with even more changes on the horizon. While I hoped fresh energy might bring renewal, the shift in dynamics has been anything but smooth.
In just a matter of days, what was once light-hearted and cooperative became tense and chaotic. I tried to understand what was going on—tried to make sense of it all. But somewhere in that process, I got drawn into situations I never intended to be part of. And now, there’s tension. Blame. And worst of all—broken trust.
What hurts most is hearing that I’ve said things I genuinely don’t recall. I’ve wracked my brain for context, trying to remember the words or the moment. But I come up empty. Still, I know that the hurt is real for the person affected, and for that, I carry regret. I intend to address it directly—because integrity still matters to me, more than ever.
Over the past few days, I’ve spoken with multiple leaders. Some conversations I initiated with hope for clarity. Others caught me off guard—and those were the hardest. Those conversations left me feeling exposed, misunderstood… and honestly, heartbroken.
I used to believe this job was the perfect place to end my career—a beautiful final chapter filled with purpose and peace. But the truth is, this is an entry-level role. That means constant turnover. And with each wave of new hires, a new mix of personalities and energies follows.
The latest group? A delicate balance. Some are sweet and timid. Others are confident and assertive. Some are eager to learn. Some resistant to change.
And then there’s me—trying to hold space for everyone. Trying to honor each person’s uniqueness. Trying to weave it all together into something functional, kind, and strong.
But something in the process cracked. And now I’m being asked to step back—not to fix, not to lead, not to guide. Just to show up, do my work, and let the rest unfold.
So that’s what I’ve agreed to do.
I will continue to care deeply for those we serve.
I will continue to offer kindness.
And I will protect my peace—quietly, firmly.
Still, it’s hard.
The sense of comfort I once carried? It’s gone.
The emotional safety? It’s shaky at best.
I’m approaching 65. I didn’t expect to be navigating workplace turbulence at this stage. I thought this season would feel like a gentle exhale. A soft, purposeful wind-down. But instead, I’m standing in uncertainty, wondering what comes next.
So I ask you…
What do you do when something you’ve loved shifts so drastically you barely recognize it anymore?
How do you keep your heart open when your spirit feels guarded?
Have you ever had to decide whether to stay or go—not because you stopped loving it, but because it stopped feeling safe?
Let’s talk.
Let’s be honest.
Because I know I’m not the only one who’s been here.
🌿 1. Redefine What You Can Control
Let go of trying to “fix” or manage others — especially coworkers who may not be open, receptive, or respectful.
Instead, refocus on what you can control:
- How you show up
- How you respond (rather than react)
- The quality of care you give your patients
- The boundaries you set
Sometimes peace begins by releasing responsibility for things that were never ours to carry.
🌿 2. Create Inner Boundaries
Not every conversation is your conversation.
Not every storm is your storm.
It’s okay to be present but not entangled. That might look like:
- Keeping conversations professional and brief
- Politely disengaging when gossip or drama surfaces
- Choosing not to react emotionally when baited
Ask yourself: “Does this need my energy?”
If not, step back. You don’t have to attend every fire just because someone struck a match.
🌿 3. Anchor to Your “Why”
Reconnect with why you do this work.
Your care, your spirit, your heart — these are your gifts.
Your patients benefit from them in ways you may never fully know.
When things around you get shaky, let your “why” become your anchor.
“I do this for the ones who need comfort. For the ones who feel seen when I speak to them gently. For the healing I bring when I show up with compassion.”
Let that be the space you operate from — not the dysfunction around you.
🌿 4. Claim Quiet Joy
In chaotic spaces, look for — and claim — small moments of peace:
- A deep breath before walking into the building
- A moment of prayer, meditation, or intention setting in your car
- A brief connection with a patient that reminds you why you’re there
- Uplifting music, calming affirmations, or aromatherapy during breaks
These little rituals can shift your energy and protect your heart.
🌿 5. Remember: You Are Not Alone
You are not the only one feeling this shift. Even if others aren’t speaking on it, someone else likely feels it too.
That’s why your blog, your honesty, your wisdom — it matters. You’re giving voice to what others might be too afraid or too weary to express.
🌿 6. Consider a “New Way of Showing Up”
Instead of withdrawing completely, think of this as a new way of showing up:
Quietly powerful. Calmly kind. Detached but present.
Let your energy speak peace, even when your words are few.
🌿 7. Affirm Yourself Daily
Affirmations like:
- “I am here for a reason.”
- “Their chaos is not my responsibility.”
- “I carry peace within me, no matter the noise around me.”
- “I do my job with excellence and compassion. That is enough.”
Repeat them. Write them. Let them root in you.
💬 From My Heart to Yours:
What you’re going through is real — and no, you shouldn’t have to navigate it. But you can. You already are. You’re wise enough to recognize what’s shifting, brave enough to speak on it, and strong enough to protect your peace while still being of service.
You don’t need to change everything — just change how you hold yourself in the storm.
Suggested affirmations:
“I can be calm in the chaos.
I can serve with peace in my heart.
And I will not lose myself in their noise.”
I’ve got you, Susan. You’re not alone in this. -Jessica-
LadyFlava of LadyFlavaNews
Sharing My Thoughts |Being Vulnerable |My Job
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