Not being bullied

At school I was a prime target for bullies. To avoid the inevitable I somehow managed to develop a way of evading them. I became invisible. I made myself disappear. I effectively suppressed myself out of existence in their eyes.

While I successfully avoided bullying confrontations I instead successfully inculcated a behaviour pattern that would fundamentally shape the rest of my life.

Although naturally introverted I added an extra developmental layer of passivity, quietude and avoidance. Instead of being present I retreat. Instead of standing up I remain seated. Instead of speaking out I stay silent.

I am grateful not to have suffered the direct consequences of bullying like so many of my peers but the bullies still managed to cast a different kind of shadow.