Long day of negotiations.

It’s frustrating I still need to turn to male colleagues and counterparts to get their help. Push harder they say. Know your value they say. And all I hear is that nagging voice of “but I don’t want them to not like me” and “I don’t want to come across like a bitch.” It’s so damn loud. It’s like “three decades worth of society talking” loud.

#realtalk: Since when did saying what you’re worth after years of proving it make you a bitch?

Fuck that. As a woman who has been stretched with every ask, return, ask and return after months of negotiations I can honestly say…I’m better for it.

I’m also more skeptical, bruised, exhausted by human nature and at points disappointed in the people you put your faith in…but better for it.

To the women out there not sure they can ask for what they know they deserve just remember this: You worked for this. Early mornings. Late nights. The network. Hidden tear sessions in the bathroom. Almost passing out because all you ate that day was a few cough drops between meetings. You didn’t do all of that so at this moment you can “take that first offer.” Hell no.

Ask for it ladies. Ask for the moon. You’ve been wrangling the stars for too damn long to settled now.

just go. just go.