13 Comments

Writing through and about these experiences is like alchemy, and I for one cannot wait to read how you transmute these elements into a novel! And screw Tom. He truly sounds like the worst.

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I hope I do it justice! Haha thank you 😊 ♥️

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"Writing is powerful." You're so right, and I love that it's your reaction here. What a jerk this dude is, and your husband is totally right! Say what you think. Write what you know. Take down the jerks :)

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🤘🏼😄♥️

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God, this resonated w me. I worked in art galleries for years and there were SO MANY Toms. I think every woman reading will recognize this man. The country club setting is ready for a takedown. I Can’t wait to read your book!

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Thanks for reading, Laura! I can’t wait to get it out in the world! Id love to hear about your art gallery days. Sounds interesting :)

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Love this whole essay. "I have a better idea, Tom. Don’t look at me at all." ::goosebumps::

I appreciate reading your experience of interacting with people like Tom — it feels so relatable to let these things bother us, even when we know they shouldn't — but also how you come back to your dreams and how your dreams spur you to take action.

I'm so grateful for the work you've created already, and can't wait to read your book!

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Thank you so much, Jenna <3 that means to much to me!

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Kailey,

I'm new to your neck of the woods here, and I'm so happy to be meandering.

I, too, work in food service. It blows my mind every single day how truly awesome people can be, and also how wildly unaware of the fact that you - like them - are an actual person. I've never written about these encounters. I think I've been afraid that I can't be both - a writer and a server - without one invalidating the other. Reading your words here opened something in me - thank you so much. I needed to find this.

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Hi Stefanie! I'm so glad you are here. I totally understand that reaction but I know you have so much to say through the lens of a server! I think if you are called to write about your experience you absolutely should. It's been such an interesting switch for me and now I can't stop writing about it haha thank you for reading <3

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I am continually flabbergasted by this thing where men think they're entitled to not only have but *voice* their opinions about women, often *to our faces*. Opinions about our choices, appearances, even our worth as people?! Flabbergasted.

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Seriously. Im always in shock myself. I knew a member who once told one of my co workers that he and his wife didn’t like the shade of lipstick she had on. I was like 🤯

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No way!!!!! Gah that is appalling. I hope she continued to wear that lipstick in their presence every day.

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