Picture this.
It’s my birthday month (February), and everyone knows that I celebrate the whole month (and then some) ?
With that in mind, this particular gentleman (who, for reference, was 20+ years older than me), said he wanted to take me to lunch for my birthday, just the two of us.
Mind you, there were people around.
I thanked him, and told him that I respectfully was going to pass on his kind offer.
It seemed his initial question didn’t garner much attention, but my response sure seemed to pause the onlookers, and now their ears were keenly listening in ?
He insisted, and I politely said “no” again.
He asked me why, and I told him – I don’t spend time alone with men unless it’s clearly business, or there’s romantic interest.
He assured me it would be fine, and that he’d be a gentleman (which, for the record, was never in question), and I stood my ground (because #convictions).
Thankfully, he did lay off after that. But I could tell he was perplexed, and hurt ?
I felt awkward, because people had been watching the interaction, and I never want to be part of someone feeling bad.
BUT, I had a choice to fold or stand, and I chose to stand on my convictions.
? Uncomfortable? YES!
? Worth it? Also YES!
People may think it’s excessive to have such a firm rule, but I know what I’m about, and am simply not willing to lead anyone on, or intentionally find myself in an unwanted position.
BOUNDARIES.
They come in clutch when you need them, IF YOU HAVE THEM (and know how to stick to them)!!
If you don’t have them, or you don’t stand for them when pushed, then you’re gonna want to grab a replay of my Boundaries Workshop. You can grab that right here!
?: @danecerenae
