I found this online account of a young woman's painful journey. It begins with a "corkboard" collage: photographs of a very normal and lovely looking girl at various times during her childhood and teen years. To glance at it, one would think she'd had a completely happy life. But we all smile for the camera, don't we, and that doesn't always tell the whole story.
Like Alex, I "masked my ravaged soul with a brave facade." In that second paragraph, she blames herself for "not being sincere" with herself, but, like me, she was a child back then, and was threatened by bullies that their treatment would worsen if she told anyone what was happening. This is so common and, sadly, we the victims end up regretful about our own behaviour. We need to remind ourselves that we were kids, trying to deal with a horrible situation that we couldn't escape, and that if we wouldn't blame a bullied child we see today, then we must remember to also be as kind to that wounded child in ourselves.
Thankfully, Alex goes on to say that in her late teens, she found a mentor who was perfect for her, who helped increase her self-confidence and who encouraged her endeavours. Alex managed to be accepted into Harvard. No mean feat for a young woman who avoided school as much as possible.
Do read her account here. I'm much older than Alex, but as I read through her article, I felt that I was reading about myself. Whether you're younger than her, or older, her message is universal. Be encouraged by her message. Keep up hope.
https://byrslf.co/how-childhood-bullying-impacted-my-adulthood-c1ffa0d54b10