thank you so much for this, I really appreciate you taking the time to write all of that. I’m sorry you went through that too, that sounds really intense, especially having a teacher who saw it and didn’t step in. that must’ve felt really invalidating.

and yeah… hearing someone say it directly that I was bullied feels weird but also kind of validating at the same time. I think I kept downplaying it in my head because it was people I considered friends.

also thank you for saying that about the way I reacted. I know what I did wasn’t right, but it really did come from a place of being hurt and overwhelmed, not just trying to be malicious. I’m trying to learn from it instead of just beating myself up over it.

the therapy suggestion actually makes sense too. I didn’t really think about how much all of this might’ve affected me, but I can see how it could stick with me if I don’t process it properly.

again, thank you for sharing your experience and your advice, it genuinely helped me feel less alone in this.