Workplace Drama With The New Boss

I've been working in this office for about seven years now. It's not the most exciting place, but I like my coworkers and the routine. Things started to get a bit weird when our old boss retired and we got a new one from corporate, Alex. From day one, he seemed to have a soft spot for Mark, our star employee who joined the company just before Alex came in. They're close in age, around 30-something, and often grab lunch together during work hours. I don't begrudge anyone their social life at work, but when it starts impacting others, that's another story. I noticed a shift within weeks, tasks that used to be fairly distributed suddenly became more centered around Mark's expertise or interests. It wasn't just about the big projects; even little things like who gets picked for special assignments started showing favoritism. The tipping point came when Alex announced he was extending his summer hours because he and Mark were planning a trip together during their vacation days. I felt like my hard work over the years went unnoticed, while Mark's social outings with our boss got preferential treatment. It wasn't just about me; other longtime employees began to feel sidelined as well. Now, whenever there's an office-wide announcement or meeting, all eyes are on us, me and my resentment. I know I shouldn’t let it bother me too much, but when you’ve spent nearly a decade building your career in this space, having someone new come along and take center stage can feel like stepping back in time. I guess at the heart of it, my issue isn't so much about the dynamics between Alex and Mark. It's more that I'm struggling to find my place again after all these years, now that there’s a fresh face in charge who seems to favor someone else over me. It's strange how one person can shift the entire dynamic of a workplace you've become accustomed to. Maybe it's time for a change myself, either embracing this new era or moving on to somewhere where my contributions are valued and not overshadowed by friendships and vacations.