The silent exodus of those who swore they’d stay…

@manupaque

Has it happened to you? I can almost guarantee it.

Nobody really talks about this phenomenon —bloody inevitable, too— that so many people live through in silence: when acquaintances, friends, and even family start to quietly drift away the moment they catch a faint whiff of your success.

And what a nasty trick, because you almost never see it coming. They don’t leave with trumpets or banners, but slowly, like damp creeping up the walls —quietly, one by one.

A silent, discreet exodus —almost imperceptible… until one day you look around and realize you’ve been walking alone for a while.

Curious, isn’t it? Because they even manage to disappear with an enviable dignity, as if they were offended by something you did.

When we don’t understand what’s happening, it can hurt. Oh, it does hurt. Because we live thinking that success is celebrated with fireworks by everyone, that happiness is sliced up like a cake and shared… but with time, you discover not everyone is amused by your journey.Peace tends to unsettle those who live at war.

And that’s natural, right? Mind you — it happens because one person’s flight reminds the others they’re still grounded.

But there’s an even more spiteful wound —the deepest one, and it doesn’t heal easily— and it’s when the one who distances themselves or betrays you is family, or someone you deeply love.That doesn’t just hurt: it disorients, disappoints, and for many, it breaks something inside. Because we unconsciously expect certain reactions, certain betrayals, from the world —but never from our own.

The natural feeling that comes up is that you don’t just lose company or affection —you feel like you’ve lost your roots.

This peculiar little event has been happening since forever.You keep moving forward, and those “dear ones” start filing off in the opposite direction, one by one —with excuses, with long silences, with glances they can’t hold anymore.And yes —I know— at first you’re left standing there, thinking: Did I do something wrong?

But no, mate. Let me tell you: you did nothing wrong.Your sin was growing.

(…How dare you!)

With grey hairs —and a few hard knocks— you come to understand that this exodus is not a loss, but a necessary cleansing.You didn’t end up alone —you ended up at peace.And those who remain are the right ones… the ones who can raise a glass with you without poisoning it.

And, paradoxically, this purge turns out to be a blessing disguised as catastrophe.

Even though this drama is as old as time, and this phenomenon inevitable, I can tell you with certainty —without fear of being wrong— that the saddest, most agonizing thing you’ll experience as an entrepreneur is not the invoices, nor the failures, nor the sleepless nights… but surviving those fierce, ruthless feelings you awaken in others when you start fulfilling dreams and reaching goals.

That emotional bombing —that camouflaged envy, that hostility wrapped in silence— will try to act as a powerful handbrake to keep you stuck, as has happened to so many before you, convincing you it’s better to stay “safe” in your comfort zone than risk success and end up alone.

Why expose yourself to unnecessary pain, right?

I’m sorry to tell you, but living through this is inevitable if you want to get anywhere worthwhile.It’s part of the journey of transcendence —of any road worth walking.

The only one who doesn’t get attacked is the one who does nothing.

Take a moment and observe the phenomenon of the “Hater.”It’s embarrassingly obvious —like a child crying because someone else dared to climb the swing.

And listen —IT’S NOT YOU.This mess? We’ve all been through it: entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, those who healed, those who dared to change… everyone who shone a little too brightly.

Success —whether economic, physical, emotional, or spiritual— doesn’t just reveal who you are… it also reveals who they are.

And that, obviously… stings.

Anyone who dares to break patterns annoys those still clinging to them.

This whole business even has a name —though it’s not in the pop-psychology books: emotional dissonance caused by nearby success.

But don’t worry —if you reflect deeply, you should actually feel happy.If today you feel that success has left you more alone than before, you’re not really alone.It just means you’re changing levels.And on the next floor, you’ll find people like you —the ones who can celebrate with you without feeling a pang of envy.

The best news is: when the false applause dies down, you can finally hear the real ones.

Remember: whoever truly loves you will celebrate your flight —even if they remain on the ground.

It’s not my intention to ruin your afternoon, but —with some regret— I must admit that the world sometimes feels more like a battlefield than a playground. And it’s wise to be prepared.

If you’re beginning this adventure of entrepreneurship, leadership, of daring to truly be yourself, my advice is to surround yourself with people and situations that nurture your strength —and above all, your resilience.People with a high vibration, who won’t let you fall.Visionaries, generous souls, secure in themselves, altruistic, compassionate, professional…

People who build and encourage.

And I promise you —in the end— all this bitter drink will have been worth it.

- Manu Paqué -