The person you are replying to didn't say exploitative competition. They just said competition. Indeed, exposing vulnerabilities (of the personal kind, not the

The person you are replying to didn't say exploitative competition. They just said competition. Indeed, exposing vulnerabilities (of the personal kind, not the security kind) can be imposing in a very inappropriate way. Your colleague is not obliged to be your free therapist. Don't impose emotional labour on them if their body language or response indicates they don't want to be having this conversation. You don't know what issues they are dealing with, which may be much worse than your own. Talk to a friend or family member, or pay for a therapist.