But here’s the uplifting part, because I promised you a smile. Michelle didn’t just curl into a ball and watch Netflix for three months (okay, maybe for a weekend). She shared her story, and she got a wave of support. People reached out with job leads, with kind words, with memes about terrible bosses. She turned a lonely Zoom call into a community moment. How cool is that?
She also reminded us of something we often forget: your job is not your identity. That 30-minute call? It doesn’t define her brilliance, her creativity, or her ability to survive a bad haircut. Nope. It’s just a chapter. A crummy chapter, sure. The one you skip when you reread the book. But she’s already writing the next page. And guess what? She’s probably going to be fine—maybe even better than fine.
What We Can Learn (Without Getting Fired)
So, what’s the takeaway here? Always have a backup plan—and a pair of nice shoes under your desk. But also: don’t let a bad boss or a lame Zoom call steal your sparkle. Michelle’s story is a gentle nudge that work is just work. It’s not your mom, your partner, or your dog. It’s a transaction. And if they treat you like a pixel, you deserve better.
Also, maybe start documenting your wins. Keep a “brag file.” That way, if you ever get a 30-minute ejection, you can reply with a list of your accomplishments and a link to your LinkedIn. Mic drop. (Even if you have to mute your mic first.)
BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing - Michelle Tsiakkas
