Then...
- 13 years old
- Fenelon Falls, Ontario, Canada
Now...
- 31 years old
- London, Ontario, Canada
- Management job
My Story...
I was bullied by a girl who used to be my friend as soon as we got to high school. She always referred to herself as “the babe” and I didn’t fit the mould she was making for herself then. She started rumors that I tried to get her to be her girlfriend, and in a small town it wasn’t exactly accepted – and regardless wasn’t true! I used to hear her and her new friends screaming names at me in the halls until I cried. I was taken under the wing of another “friend” at that time who used me for any allowance/money I may have had (not a lot) to buy her lunches, etc. When I stood up to her and grew away; she ripped the arms and legs off of my favourite childhood stuffed animal; and made me terrified of NOT being her friend. I remember thinking I’d never have a boyfriend- I wasn’t girlfriend material to any of the boys I liked. I felt awkward and ugly. I have always been a target for bullies (up until my mid 20’s) based on self esteem related issues relating directly to how I looked and how I perceived others viewed me. When I grew into myself, I got more comfortable in my own skin and have been able to have more confidence and the belief that I’m just as good as those girls who have been mean to me- better in fact because I didn’t need to make others feel that way.