Girlfriend Australia — Autumn 2017

(avery) #1

WORDS:


BREE PLAYER


HOW TO


DEAL


DON’T LAUGH IT OFF:
We all have a tendency
to laugh it off because
it seems like the least
awks thing to do, and you
don’t want to make a big
scene. However, this just
means that you’re telling
your bully it’s OK to do
this again. Next time it
happens, don’t laugh it off.

STAND UP FOR
YOURSELF: Instead of
laughing it off, you need
to say something. The best
thing to say at the time
is something short and
simple like, “Wow, that was
mean”, or “Please don’t say
that, it upsets me”. When
you speak to her after,
tell your friend how she is
making you feel. Stand up
for yourself and be honest
with her. If you call her out
on her behaviour and she
values you as a friend, it
will make her think twice
about doing it again.

DISTANCE YOURSELF: If she
continues to bully you, you need
to take a big step back from the
friendship. Firstly, stop calling her your
friend – she’s not being your friend
and she doesn’t deserve that title.
Don’t encourage hanging out or
conversations. This doesn’t mean you
have to be rude, it’s about making
yourself less available to her.

MOVE ON: If the friendship is beyond repair, it’s
time to let go. Even if you feel a bit lonely at first,
you have to remember how it feels when she hurts
or humiliates you. You deserve a friend who doesn’t
make you feel bad, and we promise she’s out there.

IF IT’S HAPPENING
TO YOU, TAKE THE
FOLLOWING STEPS.

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