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There is no lack of information on the internet for what defines bullying, how to prevent bullying and every school’s anti-bullying policy. Just a quick Google search will render thousands of results covering those topics. While there is no shortage of knowledge, the reality is that bullying continues to happen and it continues to cause emotional damage and stress to young children and adults on a day to day basis.
While it is important and beneficial to have anti-bullying policies and prevention programs it is also vital to empower and encourage students to overcome challenges such as bullying by building their emotional resilience and teaching them skills and tools to cope and grow through what they go through. This is where Bloom Foundation came about. After experiencing cyberbullying myself in middle school and also in college, I realized that what I needed was not just an anti-bullying policy but a way to help me realize my worth was not based on what other people thought and that I am not alone and can overcome this with vulnerability, empathy and support.
Here are seven key principles that comprise the Bloom Foundation curriculum and can be a support to anyone experiencing bullying:
1. BELIEF
Oftentimes, bullying can affect the way we think about ourselves. Challenge your beliefs by taking some time to write down what others have said about you. Write down what others have said about you and how that makes you feel. Then ask yourself what you really believe and try to replace those with truths.
2. PERSPECTIVE
It can feel like this is never ending but just remind yourself that nothing lasts forever. Envision who you want to be in the future by writing down at least 7 things you want to do in the next 7 years. Chances are, you’ll be in a whole new place both emotionally and physically. You can work on becoming excited about the adventures the future will bring by making a bucket list!
3. HABITS
Even though your experience may feel all- encompassing, try to think about various creative outlets that you can start to prioritize! Start by creating a schedule to engage in activities that bring you joy and it is important that you make sure that you’re setting aside enough time to bring yourself a little joy each day. This could be a skill you want to build upon or a creative outlet that you can focus on instead of bullying. Schedule some time for when you will be able to focus on this!
4. PURPOSE
No matter what may be going on, remember that you still have purpose and the opportunity to make a positive difference in the world around you. When you engage in actions that can help to make the world a better place, a sense of purpose and fulfillment will follow you.By using kindness as your personal superpower, you will be a unique light in this world. With each act of kindness, you will be spreading seeds and making a difference. Start by writing a list of 3 small acts of kindness you can do today, and then build on from there!
5. SELF-WORTH
Even though you may not feel worthy all of the time, you are. You deserve to feel loved and that you belong, because you are a human being deserving of worth. Build up your sense of self-worthiness by listing 10 things you love about yourself. Extra credit if you ask one or two friends to share 3 positive adjectives they love about you.
6. EMPATHY
Here, we want to challenge you to get curious and compassionate about others and what they might be going through. By forgiving the ones who are hurting us, we choose empathy and forgiveness in the face of hurt and pain. We regain the power to write our own story. A story of forgiveness. A story that is more empowering to us. Journal about your process of forgiving. If you are not ready to forgive, that is okay. You can journal about what forgiveness means to you.
7. GROWTH
Lastly, it is important to recognize your vulnerability has a lot of power and strength and can even help someone else in need. It may be difficult to understand now, but the pain you experienced from bullying could be used for good. Your story could help bring light to another person who needs advice from an individual who has gone through it already. Write down your story by sharing what you learned and how you’ve grown so that you can become a guide to someone else!
Our Bloom journal walks you through each of these principles and can be found on Amazon! This month is National Bullying Prevention Month and I encourage you to not only focus on anti-bullying efforts and bullying prevention but helping those who are experiencing bullying know they are not alone and that they are enough and can get through this.