Victims Of Bullying Who Grew Up Thinking They Were Ugly Get The Most Reassuring Response Online

Bullying can leave a mark that lasts long after childhood ends, especially when it targets the way someone looks. For people who grew up hearing cruel comments about their appearance, even ordinary compliments can feel hard to trust.

That is the heart of this Tumblr thread from oh-wow-lovelies, who posted under #GrowingUpUgly about being tormented for their looks. Other users quickly joined in with stories that sounded painfully familiar, and one reply from terminalpolitics ended up striking the deepest chord.

The reactions below show just how many people have carried that same hurt for years. Read on.

Many kids grow up thinking they're ugly because people treat them differently than others, or sometimes even directly say it to their faces.

KidsHelpLine

Tumblr user oh-wow-lovelies shared their story through the hashtag #GrowingUpUgly, where they talked in detail about some of the tactics bullies used against them in the past.

TerminalPolitics

No one can convince you that you're beautiful if you don't see it yourself.

TerminalPolitics

Thinking that strangers complimenting you always have an ulterior motive.

terminalpolitics

You basically become your friend's agent.

@90sthread

That feeling of mistrust shows up fast in stories like this.

Among these replies, one Tumblr user managed to stand out:

Tumblr user terminalpolitics contributed the most reassuring response that could be extremely helpful to many people.

terminalpolitics

We all know at least one person who used to be treated like that.

terminalpolitics

You have to think about it rationally.

terminalpolitics

It’s also like the OP fighting back against parents who compare them to a sibling.

If people perceive you as weak, they will try their luck with you.

TerminalPolitics

It's a constant work in progress.

TerminalPolitics

Abuse is never justified and should never be thought of that way.

TerminalPolitics

Some kids have their spirits crushed very early on.

TerminalPolitics

No one deserves to go through this.

TerminalPolitics

People will always find an excuse to do the things they want to do.

terminalpolitics

Let's call it what it actually is: emotional abuse.

terminalpolitics terminalpolitics terminalpolitics terminalpolitics terminalpolitics Terminalpolitics

As long as you want it, you will always find it.

Terminal Politics

Constantly finding yourself in situations where you are verbally or physically abused will inevitably damage your self-esteem and spirit. No one ever really teaches you how to deal with situations like these, and even if you sort of know what you're supposed to do, it's still hard to implement it in the heat of the moment.

Terminalpolitics's contribution was really important because it summarized all the essential things that we should constantly be reminded of. It's important to remind kids to always keep their heads up and never allow anyone to make them feel ugly.

Still weighing family pressure after bullying concerns at a graduation party, read what OP decided about attending their family friend’s child’s party.