I'm not the same person from when I was 8. When I was younger, there were two sides of myself. One was a bright, happy, smiley person who never stopped talking, while the other was more violent, angry at the world, and jealous of people.

I was always jealous of those who had those friend groups and I could never be kind enough to keep those friends. In middle school up until high school, there were a couple of friends I've made but my insecurities took over. As a result, I ended up not having any friends. Throughout my life, I've acted the way people have treated me and I was unhappy.

I didn't like how I was and thought to myself, "I need to change now. if not now then I'd stay the same." Life is about growing and I would like to grow as well.

I was always angry because there was so much violence I've seen and faced. I mimicked that, only to have it blow up in my face.

High school was a nightmare for me, but college was better. It taught me to not be so hard on myself and to treat people with kindness and respect. Only if they deserve it because I would not treat people kindly if they were not kind to me. To those disrespectful people, I would smile so widely in their face it would make me laugh.

In the process, I've gained more skills and hobbies than I thought I would have. Before college, I always feared trying new hobbies or clubs in school because no one liked me or knew me. Even when I did treat people kinder and/or apologized to those I've wronged, it didn't matter because people also change but from what I've seen, they changed for the worst.

The worst kinds of people are those who seem really kind or like they care when they are actually the hypocrites and are being rude to certain people. Mostly, to the kind that wasn't associated with their circle.

Now, I'm a much kinder, down to earth individual who is still working on herself and her fears.

Sometimes, I would see those who I went to high school with and they would stare at me with deadly eyes as if they were looking down on me. One would even laugh at my existence. At that moment, I didn't feel scared but I felt like I've changed but they haven't.

It may be difficult for people to see because they only see what they want to. Whereas I can see a bright and beautiful human being and that is enough for me. I used to want to dress up and wear makeup just so they can see how happy I am but why should I? I'm not trying to impress them, I don't want to prove anything but to myself.

Has anyone ever watched Pretty Little Liars? One of the characters, Alison DiLaurentis, at the beginning of the series, you could see how horrible she treated everyone. She used people, but she was also feared by many. I've always hated her character with a passion but then I realized, that I can relate to her. As the series progressed, so did she because she was being followed by A and so were her friends. This A character tried to have them turn on each other but in the end, it made them closer.

Alison changed into a much better human being, but people didn't believe it and thought it was all an act. She was a misunderstood individual who kept many secrets.

Let me say, it's possible for people to change for the better. I'm not 8 years old, I'm not one to mess with because I will stand up for myself this time around.

When society wants to stunt your growth, don't let them win because think of it this way. You've changed while they are stuck in their old ways.