Words Do Hurt
Surviving A Bully
Today is anti-bullying week. 20% of students will be bullied by the time they turn eighteen. Bullying is defined as any unwanted behavior by another person or group that creates a power imbalance and is repeated multiple times. It is seen as youth violence and is an adverse childhood experience. Bullying comes in many forms; there is physical bullying that involves tripping or kicking. Verbal bullying involves name-calling. Spreading rumors is considered relational/social bullying. Cyberbullying is harassing someone over technology and lastly damaging someone else’s property. Here are some ways to survive a bully if you end up having one.
Not Giving Them Power
Bullies enjoy controlling others because it gives them what they crave: attention. Ignoring them is the number one strategy to beating one. By not giving them what they want, then they’ll likely get bored with you and move on to someone who will. Simply walking away tall and pretending like they weren’t there is enough. If you see someone else is being bullied, intervene by taking them someplace else and talking to them like they are an old friend. Once everyone stops giving the bully attention, they’ll need to find a different way to get what they want. Only get an adult involved if things are getting out of hand and someone is physically getting injured.
Form A Bully Support Group
Bullies want to isolate their victims to make them feel alone. Another way to fight bullying is to form a support group with your peers. Victims need emotional support. They need someone to put in their head that the bully was wrong. They need someone to tell them they are good enough. Talking can be a good outlet to release fears and frustrations. By expressing these concerns with like-minded peers, you can learn new ways to help solve them in a healthy, productive way. It could also be a venue to help others make friends. If your school doesn’t have one already, talk to your principal with a trusted teacher about setting one up.
Practice Self-Confidence
Bullies want someone they can manipulate into submission. Make yourself less of a target to them by being strong and confident. It’s important to love yourself no matter what! Practice daily self-affirmations by reminding yourself of all your strengths, talents, and positive qualities. Change any negative thoughts with positive ones. Say kind things to yourself by drawing on your inner strengths. Wear what makes you feel good. Do what you love, no matter how silly people think it is. Eat a well-balanced diet of fruits and vegetables. Exercise 30 minutes a day. Get a gratitude journal to remind yourself of all the positive things you do.
Finding A Hobby
By finding a hobby, you’ll be able to find other like-minded people who can become your friends. They can also counteract any emotional damage caused by a bully. Here are some hobbies that can also improve your mental health. Dancing to your favorite type of music improves your focus and lowers your anxiety level. Art provides you with a creative outlet to express your feelings. Going on long walks reduces your cortisol level, thus lowering your stress. Participating in sports makes you feel like you are a part of something bigger. Joining a book club can expand your knowledge and will introduce you to other books in a genre you enjoy.
What If I’m The Bully
13% of adolescents in a national survey say that they’ve bullied someone in the past. The first step is to acknowledge that your actions hurt people. Talk to someone like a counselor to understand why you insist on bullying people. Find a different outlet to release your stress and anger. Before saying or doing something, think about how that will affect the other person. If you see someone being bullied, don’t join in. No one deserves to be treated like that. Some people bully to gain control of their own lives. Instead, volunteer at your local food bank, or another organization. Bullying is a behavior that is taught to us, so it can easily be changed to a more positive thing.
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M.L. Lewis
Welcome to my little slice of pie. This blog will primarily focus on prepping and homesteading skills with a sprinkle of fiction every now and then.
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Comments (25)
Most schools are very anti-bullying now and have a counselor on staff that the students can go to. I agree with most everything you've said, except the don't tell an adult until someone is getting hurt. Teachers or another trusted adult needs to be told as soon as possible. I say this as someone who was bullied and as a teacher myself.
Bullying is a serious issue. It's crazy that 20% of students get bullied by 18. Ignoring bullies is a smart move. I've seen it work. When you don't give them attention, they lose interest. Forming a support group is also great. It gives victims a place to feel supported. Have you or someone you know ever been part of a group like this? How did it help?
Nice one dear, you did a good job well done 👍🏼
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. If you see someone being bullied, don’t join in. No one deserves to be treated like that. well said.............
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Best topic.......loved it
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very good story
I was bullied in elementary school and a little in middle school and a year in high school by these two boys. One day I just turned around and told them just to stop leave me alone. I think I said grow up. Good work on the article.
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Very nice outline to help if being bullied; hopefully some bullies will also follow the advice here. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story. Congratulations. I have seen bullying from both quarters but I would love to highlight a category which is far more dangerous than a bully or a victim. It's fake bullying. Something I have been a victim of, which turned into a legal battle I have been fighting for close to 8 years. I wrote an article showing this side of the story and would love your constructive feedback. https://medium.com/illumination-curated/bullies-within-the-bullied-f54583203f90?sk=b8270fb4cb8cd4e8017bc76c5b945995
Great Topic to write about. Congratulations On Top Story!!!!
Some excellent insights clearly stated. I was bullied at school and have been bullied several times in various jobs.
Kudos to you for addressing the crucial topic of bullying in your article, 'Words Do Hurt: Surviving A Bully.' It's indeed a masterpiece, offering not only awareness but actionable steps to combat this issue. Your thoughtful advice on not giving bullies power, forming support groups, practicing self-confidence, and finding hobbies is truly commendable. Thank you for sharing this empowering message, and a Huge congratulations on the Top Story! 🎉 Your contribution is making a positive impact, helping others navigate through challenging times.
Well written and thoughtful. So wish we didn't need an anti bullying week though 🤍 Congratulations on Top story -Good to see something of Education being there!
Excellent storytelling keep up the good work 💯 congrats on top story
I wonder if any of us really survive, but I thank you for writing this. I teach at a college and I hope that my students realize they can come to me if they are still dealing with the effects of a bully (they exist at every stage in life). Top Story indeed...
I like that you included that last bit about what to do if you realize that you are being the bully. That's so important! Congrats on the Top Story!
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