I was bullied in elementary school. It was a clique of girls who ruled the school and just didn’t like me right from the start...in kindergarten. I was smart. I think they sensed that and were jealous. Come third grade, they started making fun of me for having a big nose. I really did. It was a horrible, big nose. This really damaged my self esteem.

I was tested for Gifted and was selected to go away from my home school for the program. I was thrilled to be able to get myself out of my school and away from the bullies. This made the bullying worse, as none of them were selected.

I remember them bullying me saying “You think you’re so smart, you’re conceited.” That’s when I started to dumb down and never act conceited and too smart.

Yeah, that trauma probably contributed to my never accomplishing much scholastically. I’ve suspected ADHD, but perhaps it was self sabotage due to trauma. Thanks for this post!

The head popular girl is now a judge and I am a never was.

S&C— it serves you no benefit to sabotage yourself and put yourself down. It’s a highly competitive world. There is always someone looking to knock you down and steal your success. Fight for yourself and succeed.