Rid of Bullying

​Most people go through bullying at some point in their life. There are many different forms it can come in, such as cyber, physical, emotional or verbal, but no matter what kind of bullying it is, they still leave similar scars.
 
Bullying can drain you of energy, hope, confidence, and more. It leaves you as an empty shell who just wants to be left alone. No-one wants or asks to be bullied, but too many teenagers and younger children suffer with it every day.
 
I was bullied from the age of 5 (shocking, I know) but bullying doesn’t have an age category, as even adults are bullied in workplaces. But even from the young age of 5, bullying ruined me. I was picked on, called names and avoided. People would refuse to be my friend as I had 'Emily Germs'. The older I got, the worse the bullying got and the less of myself remained. I changed myself so much to try and fit in that I forgot what made me who I was- things like what I did and didn't like. I lost my confidence, developed social anxiety and struggled to make new friends.
 
The one of the only thing that can stop bullying is to tell someone. It may seem pointless or scary, but trust me, it is the best option. Tell someone, whether it be your parent, your teacher, ChildLine, or even a friend. Tell someone and if the person you tell won’t listen or do something, tell someone else. Don’t let them carry on hurting you, you do not deserve that, you deserve to be happy and love what you love. It is only now that I have started realizing the things I like and dislike again, and my confidence is slowly (but surely) coming back. I always thought telling someone would be pointless and that it wouldn’t help, and my bullying would get worse, but that certainly wasn’t the case for me. Telling someone was the best decision I have ever made, and trust me, I normally have very poor judgment. I am no longer being bullied, I love myself and all my quirks and to stand testimony to my improvement- I am able to set up things like this to help others.
 
If you really can’t tell someone or nothing changes then stand up for yourself. You are a human being who deserves to be treated with respect. Don’t allow anyone to speak to you as though you are inferior because that isn’t true. You are incredible, and you deserve to be treated as such.
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Please stay safe and please tell someone, don’t wait.
Emily xx