Bruises heal. Words hang on. That whole "sticks and stones" poem is actually quiet oposite. "Sticks and stone may break my bones but words will scar me for life." Fighting back against those words is hard.

Just know you're not alone. I have tons of scars that I carry around in my head, too. It's hard to learn to stand up for yourself. Plus it's hard to learn to stand up and not become the oposite and become beligerant. It's a long road. A worthy road, but a long one.