How to deal with hate

Most people have experienced bullying at some point in their lives, whether they were the bully, being bullied or just on the sidelines. It's scarily common, and we need to stop this. Nobody deserves it. Don't listen to the haters, as often they are projecting how they feel on you, even if it's subconsciously. Some people will always be negative, and there's nothing you can do about it, but don't let them affect your happiness. Here are my best tips to avoid hate:

❤ Don't keep it to yourself.

Always inform an adult if you're experiencing bullying. No one should have to deal with this by themselves, and keeping it bottled up can actually be really unhealthy.

❤ Radiate self-confidence.

If you're being bullied, it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. In fact, there's something wrong with the bully. Unfortunately, you can't change other people, but it won't do any harm to try to become your best self. Put on a brave face by standing tall and keeping your chin up, and that will convey the message: "Don't mess with me".

❤ Get your friends to back you up.

Having a friend with you will give you more confidence when facing a bully, and the bully is less likely to give you trouble if they see there is more than one of you. This can also be a two-way exchange!

Always get involved if you see bullying happening, by telling an adult, sticking up for the person being bullied, and telling the bully to stop.

❤ Block.

If you experience hate online, my best tip is to block the hater and move on with your life. That person is clearly stuck in a rut, and rather than pulling themselves out, they try to pull others down to their level. They put you down because they feel bad about how they're doing in life. Wasting your time on them is exactly what they want, so don't give them that satisfaction!