I was bullied a lot at school, pretty much all the way from year 6 through to year 13. Luckily it wasn't as bad in 6th form as a lot of the bullies left in year 11, however I still was by a couple of so called friends.
When we were younger (up to around 15) it was males, but females throughout.
Apart from the odd sly comment at uni I didn't get any bullying, it was so refreshing.
I've had my fair share of it in the workplace, luckily not anymore though, and anyway I'm moving to wfh soon.
I realise I'm making myself sound like some sort of victim, I know that many people have been bullied at some point in their life.
Looking back, I was an easy target as I was very quiet and shy, seen as a 'swot' because I had good marks, and slightly awkward.
However some of the bullies, particularly my friend, were insecure, unhappy in themselves, jealous, and wanted to take it out on me.
I never got any apologies or anything except for once, from a girl I worked with who then became a lot nicer. I also had an abusive relationship for 3 years. I got an apology but it wasn't enough.
I'm 32 now and I'm still quite paranoid. If I walk past groups of people I assume sometimes that they'll whisper about me and laugh at how I look, the way I walk or something like that.
The likelihood is they won't be, but I usually assume the worst.
I'm very nervous around people and put them on a pedestal. I also have anger inside.
In my 30s now I just want to move on from it all, be the best version of myself and find peace.
Has anyone else successfully overcome bullying and become stronger?