c/self-esteem·Posted by u/sam_whitaker·21h ago

How do I stop treating a coworker's faster reply as proof I am slow?

I sent a draft at 11:02. She sent hers at 11:07 and it was sharper. I spent lunch telling myself I am the slow one, the extra pass, the person they wait on. My draft was fine. Hers was also fine. Speed is not a moral category and my brain still made it one. I even looked at her calendar to see if she had fewer meetings, which is a grim little hobby. I do good work. I know that on paper. In the body it feels like whoever hits send first gets to keep their job. How do you let someone else be quick without turning it into a story about you?

Peer discussion on askDr.app. Not therapy and not a substitute for professional care.