Leave a Comment

Have you ever been so fed up with something that you just had to walk away? Last night I chose to quit a “professional” group that I belonged to.

For months, I have been dreading going to the meetings because there was so much tension between some of the members and I didn’t want to be in a stressful environment. I continued to go however, because most of the members are great people and I really enjoyed seeing them. The tension continued to escalate and recently it turned into a full-fledged drama!

I took a step back and asked myself these questions:

Is being part of this group serving me, my family, or my business?
Is being part of this group helping me grow as a person?
Is being part of this group making me happy?

The answer to ALL 3 questions was an emphatic “no, not any more!” I had joined the group to network with like-minded professionals, and to have fun, but this was no longer the case. It was hard for me to walk away because I felt like I was walking away from some people who I cared about, but I spoke with them privately and explained why I could no longer stay and they completely understood.

So at last nights meeting, amid a hostile conversation between a couple of members in dispute, I raised my hand to take my turn to speak. When it was my time, I went to the front of the room and stood in front of the entire group and said something akin to this:

“I quit. I can no longer be part of a group that participates in drama, and the discouragement of its members. I love the relationships that I have developed in this group and I will continue to maintain those relationships outside of this club. I will not have my name associated with an organization that I feel does not have at least the same level of integrity that I try to have for myself.”

Whoa! You have no idea how impossible that would have been for me to say a few years ago when I was more concerned with people liking me than doing what was right for myself. I used to be so paralyzed with the fear of people being mad or disappointed with me and it kept me in relationships that were toxic for far too long. I felt very empowered! Thank goodness that I found MY voice and can self advocate now!

I share this with the hopes of inspiring YOU to find your voice and to be brave enough to walk away from people or places that don’t serve you, help you grow, or make you happy. Life is too short to lose yourself to the drama or meanness of other people. Find your voice, walk away if you need to, and Live Inspired Now!