LIFE

We know how hard it is to deal with bullies. Hearing that you’re stupid, ugly or unfashionable can really mess with your head—especially when it's not true. If you would rather not tell a parent or teacher about the bullying, at least tell yourself that it has nothing to do with you. It is important to know how special you are! Here are a few tricks to stay positive and know your true beauty inside and out.

Know your enemy
Bullies like torturing other girls to make themselves feel better. Whatever they say to you is just their way of building up self-esteem. If someone pushes by you in the hallway and whispers “stupid,” remember that they don’t know you at all. Getting good grades is not the only way to measure intelligence. No one knows how you think and they cannot measure how smart you are. No matter what, you are better than these bullies because you don’t take pleasure in other peoples’ pain. We know that you would never sink to their level. Ignore them! Who cares what they say? All that matters is that you know that their bullying has nothing to do with you; it is because they feel powerless without it.

Be strong
If a bully approaches you, we want you to show your strengths. Bullies pick on the people who don’t know how to handle it. Remember, bullies feel powerless and that is why they’re so mean! Show them that you are stronger and more confident than they will ever be. When they spit out an insult, walk away! They will be left with nothing but embarrassment. Because you are better than them, we don’t want you to throw an insult back. Remain calm and flee the scene. Show them that they couldn’t succeed in torturing you! Leaving will make them look weak and you look proud. Plus, walking away will give you an opportunity to handle your emotions alone. We admit it, insults hurt. Going to the bathroom gives you a chance to recuperate and remind yourself that what they say isn’t true.

Boost your confidence
Even when you’re not facing the bully, those insults can come rushing back in your head and make you feel crummy. We want you to remind yourself how special you are! Everyday, right down one thing you like about yourself in a journal. If you can’t think of something, write down a compliment someone has given you in the past. When you wake up in the morning, read all of those positive notes. You’ll feel confident in knowing how truly wonderful you are. Pick your top-5 compliments and write them on the bathroom mirror using your fave lipstick shade. Reading these notes every time you see your face will help you focus on your beauty rather than your flaws.

What do you do when you encounter a bully? Share *your* advice in the comments with your fellow GL girls.

by Yael Frischling | 12/27/2017