The condo building next to mine has been under construction for about a year. I have to walk past it with my dog to get to the park right near our home. Every time I walk towards the building I feel myself getting tense and hyper-aware of what I’m wearing or how I look, because almost without fail I get comments, whistles, or long direct stares from the construction workers as I pass with my dog. This happens at least once every day, for the past twelve months. It’s exhausting and it makes me angry. I want to say something, but instead the urge to get out of there as fast as possible without any further interaction prevails.
I just want to take my fucking dog for a walk without feeling sexually objectified and vulnerable.