The Labor Of Being The Only One

It is exhausting being the 'only one' in the room. Whether you are the only person of color, the only queer person, or the only one who seems to care about ethics, the weight of representation is heavy. You feel like you have to be perfect because if you mess up, it reflects on everyone who looks like you. That is a lot of pressure for anyone to carry, especially when you are just trying to get through your shift or finish your degree. It feels like you are constantly on display, waiting for someone to trip you up.

Let’s be real: the world is still catching up to the reality of true inclusion. A lot of places talk about diversity like it is a checkbox on a HR form, but they do not do the work to make the environment actually safe. You end up doing the 'extra' work of educating people for free. You find yourself explaining basic humanity to people who have the same internet access you do. It is not your job to be a walking encyclopedia of social justice, but often, it feels like if you don't do it, nobody will.

Resilience in these spaces means knowing when to speak up and when to protect your energy. You do not owe every person an education, especially if they are coming at you with bad faith. Justice is not just about fighting outward; it is about the internal work of believing you belong in the room regardless of how people treat you. Your presence is an act of resistance. Your success is a blueprint for the people coming up behind you. You are opening doors that were locked for a long time, and that is freaking legendary.

Make sure you have a 'home base' where you do not have to explain yourself. Find the people who get it, the ones who let you drop the armor and just exist. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and you definitely cannot fight for equality if you are completely burnt out. Take the rest you need. Validate your own struggle. You are doing the hard work of shifting the culture just by being your authentic self, and that is more than enough. Keep going, but keep your peace too.