Bullying is something many people experience, but its effects can last a lifetime. In this blog, I share my personal story of being bullied by my own family. It shaped my childhood and stayed with me over the years. Growing up, those hurtful words and actions left scars that weren’t just on the outside but also deep within. Even now, I can feel the lasting effects of bullying from those moments. By sharing my story, I hope to help others understand how bullying leaves lasting effects and why kindness matters.
How My Story of Bullying Began
My story of bullying began when I was 12 years old during a family trip to the zoo. As we approached the gorilla exhibit, my older brother pointed at the gorillas and said I looked just like them. His words stunned and embarrassed me, but what hurt even more was how that moment turned into years of teasing. From that day forward, my brothers mocked me by calling me “gorilla.” They ridiculed the way my front teeth stuck out because of crowding.
The teasing didn’t stop there. My brothers also made fun of my weight, calling me “skinny” and “ugly.” It wasn’t just playful joking. It went on for years, especially during my teenage years, when I was already feeling insecure and struggling to figure out who I was. Being teased at home, the one place where I should have felt safe, made it even harder to deal with.
That trip to the zoo marked the start of years of hurtful comments that shaped how I saw myself. Even as I’ve grown older, the memories of those words and moments still linger.
Hurtful Effects of Bullying
The bullying I experienced as a child affected me deeply for many years. Names like “gorilla,” “skinny,” and “ugly” made me feel insecure and question my worth. Those words became a part of how I defined myself, and even as I grew older, I struggled to see beyond them. It was hard to look in the mirror without hearing those voices from my past.
As I got older, those experiences didn’t just disappear. They showed up in how I interacted with others, often making me feel like I wasn’t good enough. I would question my appearance and my abilities, even when there was no reason to. My brothers’ teasing eroded my trust in people and caused me to hold back from fully being myself, fearing judgment or hurt.
Even now, certain words or images can take me back to those painful moments. The bullying I went through taught me how much words can hurt and how long their effects can last.
Long-Lasting Effects of Bullying on Kids
Bullying is deeply harmful to young kids because it happens when they are still figuring out who they are. Hurtful words and actions can make them feel like they don’t belong or aren’t good enough. At that age, kids often believe what others say about them, which can damage their confidence and self-esteem, as it did with me.
The effects of bullying don’t just fade with time. The pain can linger for years, leaving kids feeling sad, scared, or nervous around others. It can also make it difficult for them to trust people or feel safe. Bullying doesn’t just hurt in the moment—it leaves lasting scars that shape how kids see themselves and the world.
Research from JAMA Psychiatry shows that children who are bullied are more likely to develop mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem later in life.
Many kids don’t know how to cope with bullying and often feel too scared or embarrassed to tell anyone. They keep it bottled up inside, which can lead to feelings of sadness, low confidence, or even physical illness. This is why it’s so important to teach kindness and create safe spaces for kids, helping them know they’re not alone.
When Teasing Isn’t Just a Joke
It’s surprising how differently we remember things. Once, I brought up the bullying story to one of my brothers, and his reaction caught me off guard. He brushed it off, saying it was just “brotherly teasing” and acted like it wasn’t a big deal. To him, those moments were insignificant, just harmless jokes between siblings. But to me, they were far from harmless.
That conversation stuck with me because it showed how easy it is for someone to dismiss the impact of their actions. What felt like a painful memory for me was something my brother barely even remembered. He didn’t understand how those words shaped how I saw myself or the long-lasting effects bullying had on my confidence. It made me realize that most bullies, whether they mean to or not, rarely think about how their actions hurt others.
Lasting Effects of Bullying on My Life
My story of being bullied isn’t just about what happened at school—it’s also about the hurtful teasing I faced from my own family. That kind of bullying was even harder to deal with because it came from the people I should have felt safest with. The words and names they called me left deep scars that have stayed with me my whole life.
It’s been a long journey to understand how much this has shaped who I am and how I see myself. The trauma of being bullied, especially by family, doesn’t just go away. It’s a reminder of how powerful words can be and why it’s so important to treat others with kindness.
By sharing my story, I hope to help others who might have gone through something similar and show how bullying—no matter where it comes from—can leave a lasting impact. If we all take the time to be kinder and more understanding, we can make a real difference in someone’s life.
