"I will not bend until I break, how much can one bruised body take? Just not enough to silence me, you're only a memory. I'll scream these words 'til they come true, then I will think no more of you. Look back on what I'm going through, this isn't my identity" -- "Only A Memory" Icon For Hire
When I was younger one of the most important lessons my parents taught me was to treat others as you would want to be treated; to not only look past anyone's differences and see them for the beautiful souls they truly are. Throughout my early childhood to my senior year of high school, I was a victim of bullying. I've never really understood what I did to deserve the verbal and emotional hate but those words have only made me stronger. I would not be the person I am today if I'd never gone through it. Bullying has taught me a lot of lessons in life.
1. I am not radioactive
During middle school, there were rumors about my friends and I. The whispers told their listeners to stay away from us and to NEVER talk to us because if they did it would cause them to cut and kill themselves. Their lies caused me to be reluctant to let people in and have major trust issues. It also shut me off. I am afraid to talk to just about everyone. But I have learned that I can let people in. I just had to find people who wanted to be in my life. And I don't need the negativity from the people who don't want to be in my life. --Brooke
2. It does get better
I used to think that I was a lost cause, that nothing would ever be okay and this endless nightmare would never end. But, it did when I moved into college. I immediately found a new home and met some of the best people I have ever known. I am unbelievably happy. --Haylee
3. I will never forget
The harsh reality is that those who hurt me will never leave my memory, but I also have major potential to prove them wrong. I still remember my bullies and their taunts but I have already accomplished so much more than them because I never let them get their way. --Brooke
4. Harming yourself is never the answer
Throughout middle school, boys and even girls would make going to school every day a living nightmare; being pushed against lockers and cyber bullied, being called ugly, fat, or a waste of space is awful. The worst thing you could ever tell some one is to kill themselves. There was a point in time where I hated myself, that I believed everything those people said about me and I thought about self-harming. I was wrong. I learned thar very quickly after my 7th-grade teacher turned me in (to my teacher, thank you so much). There will always be someone there that you can talk to. I promise you, hurting yourself isn't the answer. --Haylee
5. Technology makes it easier
Technology and the thousands of social media platforms make everyone so much more vulnerable, but the proof will never leave. People will be more ruthless because they think that they can hide behind a screen. I have had the worst case of my bullying online. Mocking and "Go Kill Yourself"s that often followed me everywhere, but I overcame it by outwitting them and shutting them down right away. I also learned that there are people who will help resolve the problem fast. --Brooke
6. You are Beautiful No Matter What They Say
One of the hardest things that has taken me a long time to see, is that I am beautiful just the way I am. No matter if you're skinny, curvy, pear or petite: you are beautiful. No one can make you feel otherwise. You have control over how you see yourself. No one else. --Brooke
Throughout middle school, I personally thought that I was the ugliest thing I've ever seen. I hated my body and myself, but then over time that changed. I've learned to love myself; for my body and my looks. No matter what anyone says I love myself for who I am. And no one else can ever change that. --Haylee
