HOW TO OVERCOME YOUR FEARS AND FACE YOUR BULLIES
A small amount of fear is normal. Fear aids your instinctual protection against damage. Your fear may assist you in recognising when you are about to do something risky and making a safer decision. Facing your fears, in this case, your bully, is difficult. The more you confront this person, the simpler it becomes. Keep your head up and shoulders back, and stroll by as if nothing is bothering you. It gets easier the more you do it.
Bullying may affect everyone at any age, and overcoming it is one of the most difficult tasks. Bullying can make you feel isolated, afraid, and unworthy. In fact, as a direct result of bullying, more than a third of people suffer social anxiety and despair.
You are not the only one who has been bullied. You will be surprised at the number of people who have experienced one form of bullying or another at a particular stage in their lives.
Sometimes, we dread others because we’re terrified of what they might do to us, but they’re just another person in this great, big world. True, they’ll be around you for a while, but they have no authority over you! You give them power over you if you fear them. Do not be afraid of the bully; if you look around, you have a lot of people on your side. You are not by yourself. And it is important to remind yourself that you’re a formidable opponent!
This article brings you a couple of ways to overcome your fears and face your bullies:
- NEVER SEE YOURSELF AS THE PROBLEM
People are bullied because of their attitude toward the factor, not because of their sexuality, gender identity, race, appearance, disability, or any other distinctive trait. The only thing that can be changed is people’s mindsets. The problem is with the individual who is bullying you, not with you.
- AVOID SELF ISOLATION
Trying to deprive yourself of assistance will not address the problem or help you deal with the bullying. I understand that it may seem like the greatest option at the time, but it will just exacerbate the situation by isolating you and lowering your self-esteem. Bullied people rightly feel like victims, but it’s critical to see beyond that and refuse to allow the bullying to define who you are.
- DO NOT GO THROUGH IT ALONE
When you’re in a stressful or challenging circumstance, your thinking can become clogged, and your vision can become blurry. People become distracted, irritated, and unproductive as a result of this. Bullying has a significant impact on many people’s lives, but many will never disclose it due to embarrassment, fear, or a lack of trust in support services.
You must follow the proper reporting procedures by first informing a teacher, parent, guardian, learning mentor, or other responsible adults. You can also reach out to us for help and assistance. Even if you don’t want to report it, talk to someone about it and don’t feel like you have to go through it alone.
- SPEAK TO THE PERSON WHO IS BULLYING YOU IF YOU FEEL SAFE ENOUGH
Have you ever accidentally angered a buddy by saying something? It’s likely happened many times before. Bullying is similar in that the definition is subjective by nature, meaning everyone has a different threshold for what constitutes bullying. The individual who is bullying you may be completely unaware that it is impacting you.
They are also likely going through a difficult period and will understand how you are feeling. As a result, I’ve discovered that talking to the person who is bullying you can be really successful.
- DEVELOP A COPING MECHANISM
React to their bullying as little as possible. If you can, avoid showing any emotion and walk away. Bullies get pleasure from inflicting pain or discomfort on others; therefore, reacting to them will only encourage them. The bully craves attention, and if you demonstrate that they are emotionally harming you, they will enjoy it even more.
Depending on the bully, this strategy may backfire, so assess the issue carefully. If they notice that you aren’t hurting by their actions, some bullies will feel safe tormenting you (since they love the act). You can’t reason with someone who is illogical. Leave with dignity, claiming that you have more important things to do with your time. If it persists, you must defend yourself. Whether the bullying continues or not, make sure to defend others who are being bullied.
- RETURN AN INSULT TO THE PERSON WHO MADE IT
This can draw amusement from the bully’s peers or victims if done in public. Bullies’ worst dread comes true when they are deposed from their position of power over you. Remember not to give the bully the attention they crave since this will allow the bully to enjoy the satisfaction of emotionally harming others.
If the bully has a history of physically bullying you, avoid offending them because this will start a fight you can’t win. Walk away rather than aggravate the situation. If you fear you are in danger, contact an authorised figure.
- MAKE NO JOKES AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE IN AN ATTEMPT TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE BULLY HAS NO POWER TO HURT YOUR FEELINGS
This will satisfy the bully, who will often add their own mockery and humiliation to undermine your self-esteem further. You’re simply lowering to their level, with yourself as the objective.
Bullying isn’t humorous, and agreeing with them isn’t funny either; whether it’s about you or someone else, it only exacerbates the problem. Even if they appear to be reducing tension, jokes are inappropriate in this situation. They’re only adding to the fire.
CONCLUSION
The greatest method to overcome fear and face your bullies is to confront them head-on, but you must do so in a healthy way that allows you to go past the fear rather than traumatising yourself. If this does not work, kindly inform anyone who is likely to be respected by the bully.
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