Bullying Doesn’t End With Childhood
Most of us grew up thinking bullying was something that happened in childhood — the playground teasing, the high school cliques, the cruel whispers in the hallway. Back then, we told ourselves, “Once I’m older, this will all stop.” Unfortunately, bullying doesn’t magically disappear once we become adults. It just changes shape.
Adult bullying can look like a coworker who constantly undermines you in meetings. It can sound like passive-aggressive “jokes” at family gatherings that cut a little too deep. It can be a stranger online criticizing your outfit. Sometimes it feels like being frozen out of a friend group for reasons unknown to you. The tactics might be subtler than they were on the playground, but the impact is just as heavy.
What makes adult bullying especially painful is the silence around it. As kids, we were told to “tell a teacher” or “stand up for yourself.” But as adults, it can feel embarrassing to admit we’re being treated unfairly. There’s this unspoken assumption that grown-ups should know how to handle it or that we should just “let it go.” The truth is, bullying hurts at any age—and pretending it doesn’t only adds to the isolation.
I’ve experienced this myself. I’ve been bullied (as an adult) for my hobbies, food I eat, books I read, clothes I wear, etc. The hardest part is the self-doubt. I wondered if I was being too sensitive or imagining things. But over time, I realize that trust in myself is the first step in setting boundaries. Recognizing patterns, speaking up when I feel safe to do so, and creating distance from toxic people can make a difference.
Bullying doesn’t stop when we grow up. But neither does our capacity to heal, to reclaim our voice, and to choose healthier connections. The conversation around bullying shouldn’t stop at childhood. We need to talk about how it shows up in adulthood too, because the more we speak out, the less power it has over us.
People should be able to enjoy their hobbies, books, style, etc without fear of being bullied.