How to Feel Safe in Spaces That Aren’t Made for You
Grounding and Boundary-Setting Techniques for Navigating Corporate Life as Your Full Self
Kamy Charles
6/5/20251 min read
Let’s Be Real: Inclusion Isn’t Universal—Yet.
Many workplaces still expect you to show up fully…
…without ever questioning if the space was designed for all of you.
For LGBTQ+ professionals, BIPOC employees, neurodiverse talent, and anyone “othered” by default—it’s not always about being seen. Sometimes it’s about staying safe.
That’s where grounding and boundaries come in—not just as wellness tools, but as survival strategies.
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Why Psychological Safety Matters
When you constantly monitor how you sound, who you are, or how much you share—it’s not professionalism. It’s protection.
But long-term, it’s also exhausting.
You deserve tools that:
Affirm your worth
Center your needs
Help you thrive—not just survive
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4 Techniques to Feel Safer at Work (Even If It’s Not Inclusive)
1. Ground Yourself—Before You Log In
Start with a centering practice:
One grounding breath
A mantra like: “My presence is valid even if the space is imperfect.”
Listening to affirming music before your workday begins
This preps your nervous system before exposure to microaggressions, bias, or invisible pressures.
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2. Set Boundaries Without Needing Justification
Examples:
“I’ll need to step away for 30 mins today.”
“Let’s keep this conversation work-related.”
“I won’t be attending that off-site.”
Boundaries create the safety that the system may lack.
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3. Detach from Emotional Labor You Didn’t Consent To
You are not the DEI spokesperson. You don’t owe anyone your trauma or identity as a teachable moment.
Instead:
Choose where to educate
Choose when to rest
Choose you
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4. Create Micro-Sanctuaries
Small, safe spaces can exist even within exclusionary environments:
A calendar block labeled “Do Not Disturb”
A Slack thread with affirming coworkers
A post-it on your screen that reminds you who you are outside your role
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Final Thought: You Don’t Have to Fit In to Belong
Feeling safe at work shouldn’t require compromise.
So until systems change, your strategy matters.
🛑 Protect your energy
🧠 Lead with intention
💬 And remember: your presence is not a disruption—it’s a signal for change.