The cramped break room is harsh under the fluorescent lights, casting a stark glow on everything.
I catch a glimpse of my hands as I wash them, the familiar sight unsettling under the scrutiny of the bright lights.
The white lines streaking my fingernails are irregular, tiny ridges running across them like silent alarms.
I trace a pale bump near my cuticle, subtle yet persistent.
It wasn’t there a month ago.
This moment feels insignificant, just another quick look before grabbing a cup of lukewarm coffee.
Yet, it unsettles me deeply.
“Everyone’s tired; just push through,” my supervisor’s words echo when I suggested taking time off to see a doctor.
The workplace culture thrives on stoicism.
Showing weakness doesn’t get you promoted—it gets you sidelined.
