Hey Reader—

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Let me take you back to the moment I knew I was done giving access to what was draining me.

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I was in a work meeting.

The kind where everyone’s tired, frustrated, and hanging on by a thread.

We’d been collectively complaining for months.

Toxic culture. No support. Just lip service and “Hang tight, it’ll get better” energy from leadership.

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Then they dropped the bomb:

They’d signed a contract that was going to make things worse—not better.

More hours. More stress. Less support.

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And that was it for me.

They weren’t just draining me—I was giving them permission, over and over again.

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So I stopped showing up.

Literally.

The next staff meeting?
I didn’t go.

Colleagues were texting me, “Come speak up, be the voice.”

But I’d already decided:

I’m no longer the mouthpiece for dysfunction.

I’m no longer sacrificing my energy on the altar of “being a team player.”

That meeting didn’t deserve me.

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Here’s the truth we don’t say enough:

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Some of the things draining you… are optional.

And if they’re optional, they’re not just draining you—you’re choosing them.

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I know that’s hard to hear.

But Sis, I wouldn’t be your girl if I didn’t keep it all the way real with you.

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Because I see too many of us pushing through, breaking down, and calling it normal.

Making excuses like:

“But they need me.”

“But that’s just how it is.”

“But I don’t want to let anyone down.”

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But what about how you’re letting yourself down?

What about the rest you’re denying yourself?

The peace you keep postponing?

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This is what finally set me free:

You don’t need to push through.

You need to pause.

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That’s why I created Permission to Pause Live: 2-day masterclass on June 7th & 8th— to help you reclaim your time, your voice, and your damn energy.

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✨ If you’re done being available for what drains you—

​Click here to hop on a call with me and see if it’s your next best step.

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I’ll only say this once:

You don’t owe them your exhaustion.

You don’t owe them your voice, your peace, or your presence.

You owe you your wholeness.

Time to collect.

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With love,

Nikia

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P.S. Have you been carrying something (or someone) that’s been draining you? Hit reply and tell me what it is—I read every message. Let’s release it together.

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