I’m breaking away from the usual topics today just to discuss an age old yet major issue that still pollutes our societies today. Bullying.
I would recommend that you watch the video above by fellow blogger/vlogger Shirley before reading.
I came across Shirley’s video this evening and the various issues regarding bullying and hating really touched me and got me a little emotional. It is hard (especially for us girls) to talk about bullying because we feel as if we should not let others’ carry our burdens, but bullying is still a major issue and as Shirley notes, more and more people are taking their lives over incidents that could have been avoided had they spoken up about it.
However suicide is not the only consequence of bullying. There is also the internal/emotional damage caused by bullying, whether physical, cyber or through hurtful words and this is what makes me so angry because NO ONE should ever be made to feel as if they are not good enough.
When I was in Secondary school, I was bullied from year 7 (7th grade) to year 11 (11th grade) without fail and it was terrible. I was only picked on by the boys and I was beat up a lot which left me with several broken bones over the years and there were more serious occurences where I had acid thrown on me in Science which burned into my neck and I was pushed from a balcony which resulted in 2 of my vertabrae being broken. I became clinically depressed and self harmed for a while and this was all because I did not tell anybody. I could not speak to a councillor, the teachers or my parents because I did not want them to worry about me. As a result of the bullying, to this day I still suffer from low/no self esteem and virtually no confidence, but I try and take it one day at a time.
This is by no means a “woe is me” story. Stories like Shirley’s and mine should be shared to encourouge others to talk about what they are currently going though. If you have younger relatives, please please please let them know that you are and will always be there to talk to them if anything is wrong and most of all, never let anyone make you feel less worthy or less beautiful than everyone else. If we all looked and weighed the same, the world would be a pretty boring place right?
Bask in your uniqueness!
Stephanie xxx
P.S. I’d love to hear you guys’ thoughts/stories on this subject!
Great, great, post Stephanie. I'm so sorry to hear about your experiences and I know it's cheesy but feel free to get in touch if you ever want to talk.
I can't stand bullies and I believe they are total cowards. I've been really fat since I was about 11 and I've had people try to bully me because of that for years. I say "try" because they soon realised that it wouldn't work and I was left alone. I faked (almost obnoxious) confidence until it became real. I'm the only person that can get me down and other people know that I won't let their words affect me so they don't even bother.
I hope you're in a better place now and belief in yourself is really the key. Trust me on that one. Thanks again for sharing.
If only more people would come forward… Bulling would stop being a taboo, cuz sometimes it feels like we who have been victims of bulling are ashamed… because people are automatically going to think oh u are such a nerd.. But if we just talk about the people that are going to be ashame are the people who bully others.. I was bullied for my hair, race and my even my boobs… But I realize now that these girls were only jealous… Girls should just stop hating on other girls!
I am actually disgusted that the bullying was so bad that you were physically pushed of a balcony! Please tell me you reported them to the police?…
I wasn't ever bullied (I was going to say thankfully but I shouldn't have to say thankfully.. No one deserves to be bullied!) and I am glad that you are speaking out about it. I really hope people out there are listening to people like you and Shirley and are telling others what they are going through.
If you ever need someone to even just listen to you feel free to email me.. You know my email address 🙂
I feel so angry that you were physically harmed – how dare the little shits! Boys too! What kind of morn throws acid at somebody or flings them from a balcony. I'm sickened by what I've read 🙁
You're a lovely person with a fab personality and don't EVER let anybody tell you any different! Holla at me anytime you want to rant or need a shoulder to lean on, okay? xx
@Vex Aww thank you so much! I definately will keep it in mind. But i'm happy that i've become a bigger and better person because of it. 🙂