Namechanged in case outing. I work freelance in an industry that unfortunately has a reputation for being a bit fickle - there's a fair amount of hustle and occasional nepotism. Being 'in' with the right people/companies does count for a lot. People talk and gossip a fair bit.
I've recently had the unsettling experience recently of being completely ghosted by someone I'd worked closely with before. It was absolutely surprising and unexpected....she was literally chasing me for work and emailing me constantly one week and went absolute tumbleweed the next. I also realised that a few other work contacts had been very 'quiet' lately - not approaching me for work, the odd email left unanswered, and I began to join the dots...
They all have one thing in common - they all know/work with a woman who I've actually worked with in the past as well. She has a rep for being a little unhinged and bitchy, though she is well-respected and liked too. We are not competitors and I never had any falling out with her, but I remember from my time working with her how she'd often 'take against' people randomly and say quite nasty things about them to whoever would listen.
I suspect this is what's happening here. I can say with pretty much 100 percent confidence that it's not 'me' - I've got lots of experience and honestly don't go round doing things that would make me a pariah!
But it's really, really beginning to get me down, and I don't know what to do about it...has anyone experienced similar? xx