Want to know the best methods of defending yourself from bullies that every victim of bullying should know? These are the successful defense tactics you need to know about.
Defending yourself from bullies can be terrifying and if you’re anything like me, you’re researching ways to protect yourself properly. Having once been right where you are now, I’m giving you the most successful self-protection techniques you need to know and that I and many other overcomers of bullying swear by.
You will learn all about defending yourself from bullies, using best remedies that I and several other targets have taken to free ourselves from bullying once and for all.
After learning about all these strategies, you are going to be able to successfully counter your bullies’ attacks and take back control over your life.
This post is all about defending yourself from bullies, providing you the steps that every young victim of bullying must know.
Defending yourself from bullies and how you do it.
1. Know Your enemy.
This requires that you stand back and OBSERVE the people around you but without looking like you are watching them. Pay close attention to body language, facial expressions and tone of voice. I can’t stress enough the importance of this.
This is how you find out who the trouble makers are. If you see another person gossip and make trouble for others, you can be sure they will do the same to you. This is how you avoid bullies and save yourself a ton of drama.
2. Document everything!
Defending yourself from bullies also demands that you keep a journal and write down every bullying incident. Documenting each and every occurrence serves two purposes:
a. It establishes a written record, which is evidence that is admissible in court in case you decide to sue for damages.
b. Also, it allows you to keep everything organized and explain your side of the story in a clear and intelligible manner. In other words, it keeps you from rambling when reporting the bullying to a school official or company manager.
Always record the incidents using the 5-W method (What, Who, When, Where, Why, and sometimes How). In other words, you must write down the names of not only your bullies, but anyone present when the altercation took place.
Write down what happened and, include the names of authority members (teachers, principal, or any member of authority) present at the time of the incident.
You should also record the date and exact time. Very important!
Don’t forget to jot down where it happened. what happened and if possible, why it happened. Also, record what is said and by whom. Document every… single… detail!!
There will be more on the 5-W method of documentation in a future post.
3. Defending yourself from bullies means that you Don’t reveal any information about yourself that you would not want to be told.
Never share anything private about yourself to anyone, including your friends. In other words, your business is your business and no one else’s.
Besides, you never know if your friend has another friend who is either your enemy or is somehow closely connected to one of your bullies. Also, if you are the target of bullies, you can be sure that your bullies will, at some point, either try to pry information about you out of your friends or they will turn your friends against you altogether.
Therefore, keep your private business to yourself.
4. Keep a low profile.
Don’t do anything that may undue attention to yourself. Also, stay away from places the bullies may gather.
Think, “Out of sight, out of mind.” Just don’t make it obvious to your bullies that you are ducking and dodging them. I avoided several confrontations by simply laying low.
Lastly, know that avoiding toxic bullies is not cowardice, it’s smarts.
5. Save any threatening texts, emails, and/or voice mails for evidence.
if possible, set your cellphone to record during any altercation brought on by a bully, provided it is hidden in your pocket. You certainly do not want the bully to know what you are doing.
Furthermore, keep your composure and be sure not to tarnish the recording by yelling or using foul language. The last thing you want is to give your bullies ammunition to do the old DARVO switcheroo and make you out to be the bully.
If you happen not to have a cellphone, keep a digital recorder handy (if possible) and be ready to record as soon as the torment starts.
However, before you record the bullying, make absolute sure you know the laws in your state concerning recordings. In some states, recording of others are against the law and your bullies would love nothing more than to have an excuse to sue you.
Again, make sure you get abreast to the laws in your state!
6. Defending yourself from bullies also means to never brag about any evidence you have against your bullies.
It just isn’t smart. Again, bullies have a knack for prying information out of people, even your friends.
Moreover, they can also turn your friends against you, making them more than happy to volunteer the information. Don’t do it!
Anytime you are a target of bullies, you are in no position to trust anyone!
7. Call the bully out in front of an audience, especially those in authority.
This is risky and could bring retaliation later. However, the bullies will also know that you are on to them and you just might intimidate them enough that they will leave you alone.
This happened for me on a few occasions. However, keep in mind that this doesn’t happen for everyone.
Calling the bullies out in front of people can also have the opposite effect. Bullies absolutely despise humiliation, especially by anyone they deem inferior and they will only be that much more determined to get you.
So, pick and choose your battles wisely. Access the bully’s personality and the situation carefully before you decide to do this.
8. Have a strong set of beliefs and principles.
Defending yourself from bullies doesn’t only take physical strength, it takes a lot of mental toughness as well. When you have a strong set of beliefs and principles, you’re least likely to fall for lies and name-calling your bullies try to bombard you with.
Therefore, you’re least likely to allow them to influence how you see yourself or to cause you to make decisions and choices based on their approval. Instead, you will do what you know is best for you and what makes you feel happier and most alive.
9. be okay with who you are.
This is, perhaps, the most fundamental rule of all because, when you aren’t comfortable with yourself, you will be least likely to defend yourself. Realize that you are perfect just the way The Creator made you.
However, don’t confuse low self-esteem with the desire to improve yourself. Know that it’s okay if you strive for self-betterment.
We all have goals and aspirations. That goes for you, me, and everyone. The problem comes when you allow others’ opinions of you to change the way you view yourself.
Never put yourself down because bullies and everyone else is putting you down. In other words, no matter what they say or how they act toward you, do not, under any circumstances, lose sight of your worth.
Continue to value yourself and refrain from thinking that you should be like someone else. You are you. Be okay with it.
The trick is to practice self-acceptance and self-love while you improve.
10. walk away from All toxic people
Toxic people, AKA bullies, abusers, users, and losers, serve no purpose but to bring you down and keep you there. These people can also be fakes who pose as your friends.
Therefore, know that anyone who even subtly insults, guilt trips, or gaslights you does not deserve one micro-second of your time. You’d much rather be alone than with fake friends who throw zingers and backhanded compliments your way.
You’ll be much happier and at ease without them in your life. You’d much rather be alone than with people who make you feel like you don’t belong. So, be patient and better friends will come along. I promise you!
11. If a bully physically attacks you, hit them back.
This seems to be the question on everyone’s mind these days, especially in the notoriously politically correct climate in which we live. “Should I hit back if one of my bullies hits me?”
My answer is, “‘Damn right you should!
Although the media, politicians, and even big-name celebrities and influencers vehemently discourage fighting violence with violence, should you actually listen to them?
You hear school officials, managers, police personal, and others in positions of authority make statements, such as:
“Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
“Turn the other cheek.”
“Don’t stoop to the bully’s level.”
And the all-time favorite,
“Be the bigger person and walk away.”
But what if one of your bullies won’t let you be the bigger person and walk away? Then, what?
Understand that bullies don’t understand politeness, civility, nor diplomacy. The only language they know is raw power and brute strength. Therefore, when a bully physically attacks you, you have a God-given, primal right to defend yourself from being harmed. I state this with full conviction!
Yeah. I know it isn’t the “politically correct” thing to do. But when someone is harming you, all that jazz about political correctness and being the bigger person goes out the window, and the gloves are off.
The only thing you should think of at this point is how to disable your attacker. Additionally, you want to give them such a bad memory that they’ll never even think about laying so much as a finger on you again.
You aren’t a troublemaker or a brute for this. It’s self-defense and you’re well within your rights to defend yourself when someone attacks you.
Therefore, if a bully hits you first, haul off and knock their block off! And when you do, don’t just give him a love pat. Deck the creep with the strength of your entire body.
Your counter punch should be so hard that you knock the bully down and they have difficulty getting back up. Then unleash a hail of hard licks so that he doesn’t get up. Because once they get up, the person will charge you!
Again, self-defense is not a crime, it’s a right when a bully attacks you.
This post was all about defending yourself against bullies to help you ensure your safety and peace of mind.
Related posts you’ll enjoy:
1. 4 Powerful Ways to Handle Physical Bullies
2. The Mindset Behind Physical Violence
3. Bullying and the Fight or Flight Response