Technology

Foregoing sharing personal information with the wrong crowd is likely imperative, but it's probably best to find ways out of unstructured servile relationships i.e. workplaces with any hint of drama, disorganization, or lack of focus.

If you don't feel welcomed and supported, if the hierarchy is oppressive, if your peers are seemingly jealous or readily find fault in you, if you are insulted - start looking for another job. Or never stop looking for jobs until you're sure you're safe... or just work remote.

I've had my fair share of similarly unbelievable circumstances - and what I've learned is to not mess around with anything with a hint of instability and also to avoid being in close proximity to potentially volatile individuals - unless I'm absolutely sure I'm safe and that the individuals are harmless.

It really doesn't matter if you talk or don't talk - if people see you as condescending, if they dislike you intensely for no apparent reason, if they are on drugs or are experiencing psychosis, if somebody misinforms them about you, etc. it's within the realm of possibility that something undesirable happens.

...but don't be afraid to engage with people you feel you can trust - give it time if you have to, but past undesirable circumstances shouldn't take away from your life and range of experience. And worrying that the worst possible scenario will unfold all the time is also very paralyzing and limiting in my experience - there has to be a better and bolder way forward, that also does not delve into naivety.