When Oshawotts Attack

I'M UNDER ATTACK! (I wanted to post that GIF for lolz)

OK, so my Oshawott is not really attacking me, but have you ever felt like you were the target of something? Like, were you prone to bullies? Maybe accidents or total embarrassment?

When I was still at school, bullies always picked on me, and it carried on to my working life too. I always get into unwanted arguments with workmates (sometimes it gets so sour I refuse to work with that person ever again) and I ended up quitting my post-school education program after 6 months due to a girl who always teased me, resulting in me falling out with the class cos I'm too different. I have autism and they don't, which spelled disaster as I'm not a good social person in reality.

In fact, I even got teased for liking Pokemon!

I'm worried that I may never succeed in reality cos I'm terrible at cooking, I can't make friends and my work performance is always going up-and-down. This was why I got into foruming, so I can communicate with people that have interests relating to me.

I don't think you should let the teasing overcome what you want to be.. don't let others bend you into what they want you to be.
Don't blame things on your autism. While it is a condition, it is not an excuse, because there are many people who are also understanding and supportive and you have to push through even if it may be a bit more difficult for you. I know someone who's autistic that had severe social anxiety.. but he pushed through and took steps to help himself and feels much better. Maybe this is not the option you want to take but it is always a possibility!

If you're having trouble communicating, see if your work offers counseling or classes to help you manage that. Or see if they offer some free in your area. You are still young so they may have a young people's thing that helps you deal with stress and all the bullying.


That aside, yes I have been prone to bullying too, but I did overcome that. It was pretty terrible when people who you think were friends were just keeping you around so you'd do stuff for them and etc. But I guess you can say you find out the hard way and just show that you're better than that by ignoring them, moving past them, and doing good for yourself regardless of the people around you.
Doing what makes you happy, regardless of others, and regardless of friends will help you feel accomplished. Whether you are a target or not, you need to work on these things to boost your self esteem and brush those things off.

I still get teased for being short- something I can't help.. so I brush it off. From time to time it bothers me, but.. at the end of the day, it's me who has to live with it and.. it's really not a concern. There are people who make fun of me (with honesty) for it, and laugh at me, and there are others who love me for it and find me cute. The point is.. don't let others dictate what you should be. I've noticed this with you a lot recently, to be honest, and I find it a bit unclassy. Like I said with your VMs.. I wouldn't want you to be affected by receiving negative comments.. and, while the other stuff is a good esteem boost, I personally believe you should hold some modesty and just stay true to who you are. Dont be affected by this one either! It's just one opinion in the grand scheme of things! You dont need to be a goddess of virtue for people to like you, but it helps to let others make assumptions based on your actions and not by what they tell you. Don't let others bring you down.

Of course it's easier said than done. Sometimes there is a "reason" for the bullying, or sometimes there isn't. But, for example, if your work performance is suffering, then talk to your boss. And bring up how you might be better at communicating. You don't have to be a social butterfly, but to rectify this you need to take steps and prove that you're willing to improve.

It's ok to get frustrated and get into arguments with people for the right reasons, that is how we learn. But it is not ok to be picked on, and if you are, finding an outlet is good, but finding a solution is better.

I hope you make an effort and find yours soon. It took a long time to find mine, but I've grown a lot stronger because of it.

Maybe for this new year you can make a resolution.. like trying a new recipe every week or something? Or cooking for friends and asking them to give you feedback to improve it! That way you can be a bit more social AND improve!

Anyways, good luck, and I understand where you are coming from. I think a lot of people here had gotten teased for liking pokemon too, so you're definitely not alone here.

I've always been teased for being different as well, though I don't have autism. Unfortunately, people will always find something to tease someone else about whether it be a disorder they have, their interests, how the dress, etc. I personally have social anxiety, so I can kind of relate to you when you say you have a hard time making friends. I can do it much better here, as I can communicate through text much better than I can through speech.

Hm. Have you ever heard of Temple Grandin? She's a woman with autism and she's now a professor at a university (not sure which one though) and she speaks at various assemblies about autism. We watched a speech she made when I was taking a class at my uni, and there's also a film based on her life. Perhaps you should watch it sometimes. It's inspiring to people that come from all walks of life and not just those with autism. But you know, since you're feeling down about how you get along with people and such and how you'll fair off in the future, I think watching it might give you a boost. :)

And for the record, if we knew each other in person, I'm sure we'd get along fine. Being different is fun. It's a bit more difficult, but I think we make it out better in life because when we work through the difficulties, we grow stronger than those who have everything easy. :) Stay strong, girl!

PS: Neeko says hi. :D

I can definitely remember being bullied a lot back in Elementary/Primary school almost 10 years ago. Most of it was namecalling, but some of it was physical (Got followed by a kid and his friends, and they kicked me to the ground and whatnot), and it definitely wasn't the best. And it was because I played Pokémon and because I was rather smart for my age. There was even a particular time (Maybe more than once, I'd have to think about it) that I was teased simply because of what I wore.

However, ever since High School started, I've began to feel more accepted for the things I do, even playing Pokémon, as I've found groups of people that have similar interests as I have. There's still a few things I don't discuss, but I do know what it's like to be targeted over the smallest things.

I know one particular person that has (An extreme case of) autism, but his brother and him get along just fine. Many kids disregard him and play with more able-bodied students, which is kinda unfair, but sometimes, when you really think about it, there's more than just you being segregated based solely upon abilities like that (Which is really rude imo), but perhaps you might find someone in the same situation as you, and who knows, you could become good friends. It's how I met some of my best friends. I don't have autism myself, or anything of the like (Although if I did, I know I wouldn't be alone), but I have had my fair share of hardships trying to keep my head up in school and at the workplace.

I know that it's hard being different, but everyone is different anyways, and perhaps someday, you might find a good friend in someone.

... You sound like a girl version of moi. :( Just imagine I said something along the lines of what Kura said, except ... You know, our old PM convo...

Aww Hikari D:. I know exactly how you feel, when I was younger from preschool to Year 2, I was bullied and teased for being a little different from the rest. I liked things most would consider what a boy would love such as cars, lego and figurines. They used to laugh at preschool what I wore and try to make my life miserable. I didn't know how to stand up to bullies back then...so I was silently miserable. Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself Hikari or tell someone you can trust <3. That's what my mum used to say all the time.

In Kindergarten to Year 2, some boys teased me for having best friends that were boys. They called me names, kept yelling I had a boyfriend and that made me really upset. It's just how life goes unfortunately, not everybody in the world can be nice :(. Try and ignore them when they make mean remarks and if it is at work, let your boss know immediately!

And some of my other bad experiences were having friends who weren't really my friends, some of them just wanting some of my food or the rare pocket money I got. They always tried to exclude me and some of my other friends do it to this day! So you're definitely not alone :3.

But, don't feel bad if you're not that social in real life. My parents used to say, if you feel you're terrible at something and want to change that, practise some more <3. Just ask your parents or a friend, when you make a meal to taste it and give their opinions. From their comments, you can gradually improve your skills and you'll be a master cook in no time!

But don't feel bad Hikari. I know exactly how you're feeling :). Here's an Oshawott for you :D.