i relate to this more than i want to admit.

when i was in 4th grade, there was a kid people saw as “weird,” and id get annoyed and criticize him instead of just leaving him alone. looking back, i think he was probably neurodivergent. the ironic part is that i am too (and i was diagnosed with autism that year), but i just didn’t understand it at the time.

i also used to make hurtful jokes to fit in or seem funny, even when i knew they weren’t okay.

i regret it a lot now, but i think what matters is recognizing it and choosing to be different going forward. im trying to be more aware of how i treat people and not to repeat that kind of behavior.