u/WinThis6453

Guyz, I had previously posted here about whether I should watch this movie alone or not. I really didn’t want to miss this movie, so I finally decided to go by myself.

Ngl, I was nervous at first. I was late by 5 mins, entered the screen awkwardly, searched for my seat like I was lost, and even asked a nearby person if I was in the right screen 😭

But honestly, it turned out to be a good experience. This was my first time going to a movie alone. As an introvert, it felt like a small achievement. Might start doing this more often to slowly get out of my social anxiety comfort zone.

https://preview.redd.it/iejovt30rh2h1.png?width=687&format=png&auto=webp&s=7e95a982e0bf20f32853ee76a306e281e375e8cb

Guys, I’m a 21M. I’ve witnessed many traumatic experiences because of bullying. It all started when I was 6 years old. I used to be short until my 10th standard, and many times I was bullied by people younger than me.

When I was studying in 10th standard, I went to a nearby shop to buy some things. At that time, a group of teens bullied me. I ignored them and walked away. I didn’t have friends in my locality. Then, after a few months, another incident happened where a younger kid bullied me. Similar incidents even happened during my 12th standard. Since I didn’t have strong friendships in school, I couldn’t seek help or support from anyone.

When I entered college, I thought the same things would continue. Because of my past experiences, I always felt unsafe outside. But the three years I spent in college were completely different. I had many friends, and I felt very free and safe there without the fear of being bullied, because my friends were around to support and defend me.

Two years ago, I was walking with my college junior in my locality. A small boy, around 12 years old, approached me and asked for the time. I told him the time, while my junior friend smiled a little. At first, I didn’t understand what was happening, but later I realized that the boy had asked in a teasing way.

A few months later, I was returning home from college with a friend who stayed in a PG hostel. A group of pullingos were walking on the opposite side of the road. After seeing us, one guy ran toward my friend and asked him for the time. I immediately understood his intention, but my friend didn’t. I stayed quiet.

Because of these incidents, I started feeling unsafe stepping out of my house. I usually go out only at night or in the afternoon when there are fewer people around.

One of my school friends, who is also from my locality, once called me to go to a nearby temple or café. I didn’t accept because I was worried that someone might bully me while I was with her. Later, I met her at a café during the afternoon when the roads were less crowded.

I feel safe going outside only when I’m with my friends or cousins. When I’m alone, I constantly fear that someone might bully me.

Now I’ve started thinking that, without having a proper height, these things will continue happening. But my friends who are around my height (5’5”) have gone on dates with their girlfriends, and when I spoke to them, I realized they haven’t experienced bullying like this. I don’t know whom to talk to about all this. I once told my cousin sister, but she couldn’t fully understand what I was going through.

I think I have said this before, but that time I didn't say this clearly. Kindly read this and tell me the ways to get rid of this inevitable fear.