"benevolent exploitation"

Premature Exposure = Psychological Harm

Like forcing a fruit to ripen under artificial lights — it may look ready, but inside it’s unformed, unprotected.

People in their incubation stage may not yet be equipped to handle visibility, pressure, or praise, and this exposure can collapse their nervous system or confuse their self-image.

Conditional Support

The unspoken rule becomes: “As long as you reflect well on me, I’ll support you.”

Any deviation from their narrative — independence, disagreement, or outgrowing them — may lead to withdrawal of support, guilt-tripping, or character assassination.

Moral Superiority Complex

The “I’m just here to help” stance implies moral high ground, which suppresses valid criticism and makes it hard for the exposed person to set boundaries.

It creates a power imbalance disguised as care.

You might mistake this person’s attention for love, mentorship, or destiny, when in reality, you’re being positioned as a symbol.

It disrupts the inner dialogue and replaces it with external validation loops.

You might fear losing their approval and become performative, abandoning your organic process.

You end up co-creating a persona they prefer, instead of becoming who you really are.

True Mentorship & Allyship:

Holds space, doesn’t occupy it.

Spotlights without stealing the stage.

Helps you build a foundation before showcasing.

Accepts your evolution, even if you outgrow them.

Real support is quiet, consistent, and egoless. It whispers, "You’ve got this," then steps aside.

You are not a project.

You are a person becoming.

Anyone who turns your growth into a performance or a portfolio piece is not helping you — they’re feeding on your potential.

Let people flourish slowly, privately, securely — and let their light be their own when they’re ready.