I booked a window seat weeks in advance as a treat after a tough year. On the flight, a young girl next to me, with her father, cried softly, longing to see out the window. Her father asked me to switch seats. I politely declined, explaining I chose this seat intentionally. He muttered about my immaturity, which stung, but I stayed put. The girl’s cries made the flight uneasy.
Mid-flight, a stewardess called me to the galley. I feared trouble, but she thanked me for keeping my seat, affirming it’s okay to maintain boundaries. Her words eased my tension. Back at my seat, I saw the father engaging his daughter with stories and games. She’d stopped crying, and the cabin felt calmer.
I realized standing firm isn’t unkind—it’s honoring your choices. Often, when others adapt, peace follows.
