They left me when I gave up on their dark fairy tale— the one they tell empaths as children: to twist yourself into knots like an old forest tree and you’ll live happily ever after. But in solitude I touch my roots and feel my magic.

I refuse to work for an asshole. Many will say that I’m snotty for this mentality or I’m a millennial so I’m clearly entitled. And guess what? People are allowed their opinions. I refuse to work for an asshole. And by asshole, I mean the rude, arrogant, domineering type of personality who doesn’t care about ...