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Know the difference between healthy stretch and toxic stress so you grow instead of shrink.
by Drew Robbins
3 min read
Grow With Purpose
Learn to recognize the signals between healthy challenge that builds capacity and toxic pressure that diminishes your well-being.
In a healthy stretch environment, pressure comes with support, clear goals, and trust. You may feel tired after a hard day, but your energy returns, you sleep well, and pride follows the effort. Colleagues ask for your input, recognize progress, and make space for recovery, and over time your capacity grows.
In a toxic setting, the pressure is constant and personal. Sleep becomes uneven, Sunday dread creeps in, and even small mistakes feel risky. Meetings leave a knot in your stomach, voices go quiet, and the job narrows to survival. You begin to doubt yourself and avoid the work you used to enjoy.
You can be pushed to your limit and still be safe. There is a difference between being challenged to exhaustion and being diminished by toxicity.
— When No One's Keeping Score
What signals are you noticing right now, and what support or boundary would move you toward healthy stretch?
Try This
Keep a one-week log with two columns, stretched and supported vs depleted and anxious, then share it with a trusted peer or mentor.
Notice What Happens
Track sleep quality, energy after meetings, and whether you still make time for what you enjoy.
Share or Reflect
Name one concrete sign of toxicity you have seen and one small boundary or ask for support you will make this week.
Keep Going
If signs point to harm, seek help, document patterns, and involve allies, your well-being matters more than any project.
If this resonates, share with your network to help others tell challenge from toxicity and take the next step.
