I was being bullied by five girls in the same village. They would call me names and push me about when they saw me. I was scared to leave the house because I didn’t want to bump into them.

My confidence plummeted, as I stopped going out and having fun. Eventually, this meant that I also stopped going to school, and as a result I became NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training).

Gossip is a part of life. It permeates through the class room, the school playground, the workplace and friendship groups.

Sometimes gossip can be harmless, like sharing banter with your mates over the latest celebrity gaffes or reading the gossip columns of the tabloid newspaper.

What are the effects of peer pressure?

In some cases, peer pressure can be positive. For example, you might be encouraged by your friends to watch a certain TV programme or listen to a particular band. The effect of this is harmless. However, peer pressure can sometimes have a negative effect that is dangerous or harmful. Some people may be influenced by their friends to do something that they don’t want to do in order to fit in. Or they may influence others to act in a certain way because they want to feel better about themselves.

A week has passed since I’ve written part 1 of this article, and I’m hoping that you’ve been diligent in doing the exercise and that you have now taken the first step to recovery. The whole point of this exercise is for you to realise that you are worthy, have value and that the bullying was not your fault.

Bullying can cause a lot of pain and destroy your confidence, but you don’t have to be a victim for the rest of your life. People who bully others often use this behaviour as a way to make themselves feel better and more powerful. Usually bullies are acting out because they feel they are lacking in some way or another.