Lubbock, Don’t Let a Bully Ruin Your Life

Remember when you thought bullying would end when you graduated?

How cute.

Somewhere around adulthood, you realize the kid who used to steal your lunch money or dunk you in the toilet for a swirlie didn't just disappear. Now, they've got a mortgage, a fancy job, and a Facebook account.

Great.

Unfortunately, bullying doesn't necessarily end directly after grade school. It just becomes more complicated.

Adults deal with workplace bullies, nasty neighbors, toxic friends, online trolls, overbearing partners, and family members who make it their personal mission to ruin someone else's day.

Lubbock isn't magically exempt from this. Not by a long shot.

So, what can you do about it?

Tips On How To Handle A Bully In Lubbock

One person points at another kneeling person

Don't give them the reaction they are looking for.

Bullies are often very attention-seeking.

They get something out of embarrassing you and out of having control of your emotions.

Don't give in.

Blow them off and ignore it.

Set a boundary.

You can calmly say, "Don't speak to me that way," or "I don't have time for this today." You don't have to deliver some kind of dramatic movie speech or give them any power over you.

Read More: 7 Things to Do Instead of Going Back to Your Lubbock Ex

Document it.

If this behavior keeps happening online, at work, in your neighborhood, or anywhere at all, for that matter, save the receipts.

Take screenshots.

Write down the dates.

Keep a running tab of the things they have done,

These things will come in handy, especially if their behavior turns into something that threatens your safety or disrupts your life in a major way.

Don't Retaliate

While it will feel amazing for approximately 7 seconds, turning yourself into the aggressor usually makes the situation worse.

They will only come at you harder.

Retaliation never stops a bully. It only gives them a challenge.

You're better than that.

Tell someone you trust.

Get other people involved, whether that may be your supervisor, your school principal, the HR department, a friend, a family member, or whoever the appropriate authority is on the matter.

Sometimes, you can't handle a bad situation on your own.

Walking away is not weakness.

Sometimes, the best thing you can do to put an end to someone else's bad behavior is to remove yourself from the situation entirely.

This step can be pretty difficult to take.

It may mean finding a better job, ending a relationship, or finding new friends.

Just remember: you don't have to win the argument.

You just have to stop letting the bully win.