The Invisible Bully

Aanya Chudasama (she/her)

Editorial Team Member

In my silent moments, a dark shadow looms over me. The invisible bully intensifies my struggles with loneliness, intrusive thoughts, and restless anxiety.

She's not just an occasional visitor, her presence is constant, creating a silent struggle hidden from the world. She convinces me that I am an outsider in a world filled with bustling connections, making my quirks morph into flaws. My past experiences, though unspoken, have left their mark, and give her fuel to manipulate my perception of self. She feeds off of them, preying on my vulnerabilities.

The invisible bully creates a narrative that I am unwelcome, intensifying the isolation that consumes my life. She deepens this internal conflict, causing me to feel discomfort with the person I see in the mirror.

The invisible bully loses her power when exposed to understanding from me and others. Sharing my silent struggles builds a powerful army that fights the torment she puts me through. It allows me to confidently declare that I am more than the distorted image she projects.

A lot of the confrontation is a personal journey to reclaim my narrative. However, as I navigate through this process, I find strength in discovering connections formed through vulnerability and compassion. These conversations create light that covers the shadows that dominate my silent moments.