Honest conversations about the psychology of modern work culture
My technical architecture diagrams mirror my childhood drawings — everything in its box, every connection mapped, no surprises allowed. In design reviews, I track micro-expressions like I once tracked my father’s moods. The senior developer’s slight hesitation becomes a red flag. The product manager’s tightened jaw signals incoming conflict. My colleagues praise my foresight. My …
The cruelest trick corporate America ever pulled was convincing us that ‘unlimited’ actually meant ‘less.’ Jenna used to light up when she talked about wine. Every few months, she’d return from European vineyards with stories of her favorite merlot and a bottle to share with our team. On those afternoons, our sterile conference room transformed …
Before I wrote a single line of code, I was writing office birthday cards. “I wanted to chat about your retirement party,” Morgan said, her voice bright with enthusiasm. “The team thought it would be nice if I coordinated it, since I’m the new engineer.” Twenty-five years melted away. I was suddenly back at my first software …
In the office parking lot, my colleague circled my ten-year-old Honda like it was a crime scene. “When are you finally going to upgrade?,” he asked, gesturing at his new BMW. I could have laughed. I could have shrugged. I could have pretended I hadn’t heard him. Instead, I looked him dead in the eye …
Two months. That’s all I have left before retirement. My office walls are slowly emptying. Awards. Project photographs. Memories stripped away, box by box. Each item feels like a piece of my identity being carefully dismantled. I’ve spent a lifetime building this version of myself. The successful professional. The reliable colleague. The one who could …