I really wasted my own time trying to be on good terms with people who hated me, wanted others to do so too, and liked seeing me disrespected and frustrated. I wasted my own time working on a few (not all) projects where the goals were constantly shifting out of reach, the budget to pay me was nearly nonexistent though there were investors and new equipment for the group, and projects/benefits that were dangled in front of me I “hadn’t worked hard enough for it yet” despite making appearances to the least important events I was informed about and creating content etc.
I thought that putting in more work, not bring up what was hurting me and crossing my boundaries, and extending myself to be there for others would actually work… because that’s what I was told and I held on to that belief. But, at the end of the day, I was important enough for them to be so concerned about me improving my life, which was a big NO for them.