I feel like we’re growing, every day, inch by inch. Getting incapable of fitting in the small spaces, we used to be so proud of hiding in- Now show us half, limp-sided uncomfortably hanging. All we ever wanted to be, all we ever asked for; was to be small. To be able to sit in a box, and close the lid. Now I look at ourselves, and all I can see is this colossal amount of space we take up- And how we sit in our lonesome yearning for it to be none. We end up writing on the walls of our existence; like prisoners counting their days- To stop the heaviness of our breaths, to cause havoc, getting louder with each moment. And curse our reality, for it tells us; It was meant to echo louder outside the box. Nothing ever ends poetically. It ends and we turn it into poetry. All the wounds that bled were never beautiful. They were always just red. We look at ourselves, as the decisions we make, the experiences we’ve had, and the relationships we’ve made. Our schooling years are often associated with us trying to identify ourselves and figuring out who we actually are. Either if it’s jumping aesthetics. From punk to cottage-core, or the way we excessively use emojis and slang as a "respectable” way of communicating. The way we decide to talk, about our interests, is all a part of developing our personalities, and figuring ourselves out. Questions like who we are and what we like end up becoming an integral part of our teenage lives. But what happens when our confused puberty-sickened minds are met with unwanted aggression and bullying? Lately, we find ourselves questioning all the negative experiences we’ve had and how we’ve passed them on. While talking about bullying, many people think about the actions they’ve done or experienced early in life, that they now realize were bullying. However, the majority of us are still stuck there with the lingering feelings of threat and shame, now turning into anger, towards ourselves and others. When we’re repeatedly presented with blows about who we are or what we are doing, we create a poor self-image and expect that others see us in the same light. Being bullied at our age can affect us well past childhood and can cause lifelong psychological damage. When a young person is bullied, it can not only lead to problems with trust in others, self-esteem, and anger, but It can be hard for them to develop relationships with others at an older age. Having said that, often when we talk about bullying, we only talk about the bully and the victim. However, most of us reading this article right now fall into one of two groups: those who act to stop bullying, and those who don’t. The bystander who stood for the victim, and the bystander who didn’t. As a teenager myself, I’ve been both. Often afraid of retaliation and under pressure of playing the “cool” friend, or someone who knows how to have fun, I've always ended up being exactly the opposite. While the studies show bystanders who wanted to intervene but didn’t, end up experiencing increased anxiety and depression that can affect academic performance, and increase their use of substances, alcohol, and tobacco. It means more than that. We frequently debate about doing the right thing and figuring out the cost of having to deal with the consequences. But it becomes so much more than losing a friend, or being called a “snitch.” It’s about empathy and making a change. It’s about being true to yourself and everything you’ve been through. Bullying can make one feel helpless. Sometimes, we endure things, just to be a part of the group, or to try to fit in. You may feel socially isolated or completely alone. Either way, if you’re being bullied, bullying, or if you’re a bystander- Ask for help, stand up against people, and treat people with kindness. Whatever anyone might ever say, life’s always more fun when you can do the right thing, and quote Lady Gaga at the same time. “don’t you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can’t be exactly who you are.”