Stumbling doesn’t mean falling, and falling doesn’t mean failing.

(Version fran?aise: ici)

When you feel like quitting, remember why you started in the first place.

This quote has been with me for five years, like a lifeline I cling to when the waters get rough and the winds push against me.

Like right now. I feel a deep weariness. More than just fatigue, it’s almost discouragement.

Not surprising, after five years of carrying an association project, facing obstacles and even internal sabotage at times, with very little support. (Thank you to the members of Rezalliance for always being here.)

Since January, exhaustion has been creeping in. Not just the kind that a weekend of rest can fix, but the deep, lingering fatigue that comes from holding and growing a nonprofit for a long time, facing constant challenges, both from within and outside.

I know I am not alone in this feeling. Many of us working in the field of social justice, inclusion, and workplace equity reach a point where we question whether it’s worth it. Whether the uphill battle is too steep. Whether change is truly possible when the resistance is so deeply embedded.

The hidden weight of leading a mission-driven organization.

When I founded Rezalliance, it wasn’t on a whim. It was a response to a real need, to fight workplace harassment and discrimination, to create a space for those affected to heal, and to help organizations build truly inclusive cultures. Over time, the mission evolved, growing beyond what I initially imagined, to tackle root causes, transform the mindsets, behaviors and systems altogether. But growth brings complexity, and with complexity comes unexpected challenges.

Inside Rezalliance, I have seen people join with good intentions, wanting to help, only to later realize they were unconsciously seeking to heal themselves. This is not a judgment, it is human. But in a mission-driven space, it means that instead of pushing forward, we sometimes end up managing personal struggles that were never ours to carry. When a team is composed of people seeking healing rather than driving impact, the organization can stall. And that’s a weight I wasn’t prepared for.

Then there are those who, rather than contributing energy, bring their fears and skepticism. While critical thinking is valuable, there is a fine line between constructive questioning and paralyzing doubt. Those who constantly challenge without offering solutions, who point out flaws without building, can drain an initiative from the inside.

And then, of course, there’s the outside world.

The external challenges: Empty promises and silent observers.

The nonprofit and social impact world is full of contradictions. Many people love to talk about change, but few are willing to invest in making it happen.

• There are those who promise support but never follow through.
• Those who want access to our network, our credibility, and our audience but never contribute in return.
• Institutions that claim to champion workplace inclusion yet refuse to support us for reasons that make little sense, while still requesting access to strategic documentation, methodologies and tools.
• Let’s talk about potential clients. Organizations that express enthusiasm, say they love what we do, that they want to work with us, and then ghost us. But here’s the thing: I see them. I see them opening every newsletter, clicking on every link, analyzing every resource we share. Some go even further, taking our ideas and implementing them without acknowledgment, credit, or reciprocity.

And yet, they will be the first to claim they support workplace equity.

The broader context: Where is the real commitment ?

All of this would already be exhausting under normal circumstances. But when you add the broader geopolitical climate, the rise of social injustices, the backlash against inclusion efforts, the stagnation of meaningful reforms. It becomes even heavier.

I don’t see many people taking a real stand, let alone investing in tangible actions to create a more equitable world of work. Those who once pretended to be champions of DEI are now stepping back, hiding behind the political context. But what if they were faking it from the very beginning?

I used to say that diversity without inclusion is just diversion. And here we are.

Take, for example, the 61 CEOs who recently signed an open letter in the newspaper Le Temps, stating their commitment to workplace inclusion. A bold gesture, in theory. So, I contacted all of them. All 61.

How many responses do you think I have received… ?

To give you a hint, I would say that it's easy to sign a letter with others. Taking real action is another story.

I will definitely publish another post to share the final results of what is shaping up to be a reality check. Stay tuned.

The cost of staying and the cost of leaving.

This would be the part where I tell you that, despite it all, I remain optimistic. That I have an endless well of resilience. That I wake up every morning ready to fight the same battles with renewed energy.

But that would be a lie.

The truth is, there are moments when I ask myself: Is this worth it? Moments when I wonder what would happen if I just stopped. If I let go. If I walked away.

Because the cost of staying in this fight is high. It means constant advocacy, constant education, constant resistance against forces that would rather maintain the status quo. It means emotional labor that is unseen and undervalued. It means pushing forward even when the path is unclear.

And yet, the cost of leaving is even higher. Not for me, but for our shared humanity.

Because if I stop, what happens to those who still need this work? What happens to the individuals who have found safety, support, and empowerment through Rezalliance? What happens to the current and next generation of professionals who deserve workplaces free from harassment and discrimination? Who deserve to be treated with equity and humanity?

So Why keep going ?

I’ve been here before, at the edge of burnout, questioning everything. But each time, I remind myself WHY I started in the first place. And the truth is, I didn’t start this journey just for myself.

I started it because I owed it to those who came before me. Those who fought so that I could be here today, standing, speaking, pushing for change. If they had quit, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I have now.

As Maya Angelou once said, "We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated."

That’s what I’m doing.

So, if you are feeling exhausted too, if you are questioning whether your efforts matter: take the time to rest, but never give up. Remember that stumbling doesn’t mean falling. And even if you do, you can always get back up and move forward.

Because the work still needs to be done. And if not us, then who?

?? On May 23, we’ll have the privilege of bringing together women and men who believe that a safer, more equitable world of work is not just possible, but essential. Exceptional individuals who don’t just talk about equality, but take bold actions to make it a reality. If you, like me, are seeking a renewed sense of purpose, I invite you to join us for the next edition of the International Day Against Harassment and for Inclusion in the World of Work. Check the dedicated webpage for more details on the program and the lineup of incredible speakers who will be part of this crucial conversation.

Let’s stand up and continue pushing forward, together.

Yours sincerely,

Jo?lle Payom

Founder, Rezalliance