Good on you, Kim!! I had a “ mean girl” in my small town that went with me from grade school to graduation, Amybeth S. Yes, she’s still a mean girl, and to me, her mind seems very small and narrow… What a life! I, on the other hand, have always drawn from my inner strengths and confidence, even as a little girl, knowing that I was a good person, kind to others and also looked out for the underdogs. I’ve led a successful life full of adventure and joys. One thing that always made me smile? Was seeing how any of the #MIN girls crumbled when they saw they could not affect me, or at least that’s what I showed on the exterior! Now, 50+, I quit caring long ago… it’s interesting how those types start mean and seemingly stay insecure and childish their whole life through. So happy that you and I,and countless others like us, made it through and flourished!! ✌️🌸🫶🏻🌸
This, “it’s interesting how those types start mean and seemingly stay insecure and childish their whole life through.” is so true, Crystal.
I think that is why is felt so good to realize I never, ever think about these people anymore. With hard and careful work, life has worked out. I don’t know about the severe MGs of high school…I don’t really want to revisit the whole thing….while editing this piece over the past weeks…I sort of seized up when I got to the Mean High School Girls…..I’m not sure what I would do if I bumped into one…fake it I guess….
👆what you said about people going through tough stuff in their lives who take out their misery on people who appear happy is exactly what I went through a couple of years ago with a couple of friends. It was especially hurtful to me because I truly loved these gals and was a really good friend to them for years. I understand that life can be brutal—I was simultaneously going through grieving the loss of my mother and 2 beloved dogs and going through menopause when these two previous friends were also struggling. The difference? I went to therapy (and still am!) and made some much-needed changes in my life instead of taking it out on them. Thankfully I have healthily moved on and found new activities and communities that are much better suited to me and my interests. I think there may have been an element of them realizing that I was also subconsciously pulling away from them due to our lack of common values and direction in life. Relationships are so complex and I have had mostly lifelong friendships—and stayed in them due to my loyal nature. I have been learning about the importance of honoring my personal evolution and finding people and ventures that reflect that. Great article Kim! I think of you and your writing every time I hear Bebe on the radio up here in Maine. They play her all the time! I need to get out and see her perform live when she is up here (one of my life passions is playing instruments and singing in groups of other music lovers! 😊).
Oh, SC...I feel you. I do not understand how one gets to be odd man out, but I have been there and it is a terrible combination of not knowing why, or what you might have done, and the actual loss of the friendship. I am glad you are on the other side of it. You sound good. Thank you for sharing your own experiences because I do think it helps make others feel less alone. It's not an easy thing to talk to people about.
Thank you for loving Bebe's work! She is playing in Portland, ME August 8!
Good on you, Kim!! I had a “ mean girl” in my small town that went with me from grade school to graduation, Amybeth S. Yes, she’s still a mean girl, and to me, her mind seems very small and narrow… What a life! I, on the other hand, have always drawn from my inner strengths and confidence, even as a little girl, knowing that I was a good person, kind to others and also looked out for the underdogs. I’ve led a successful life full of adventure and joys. One thing that always made me smile? Was seeing how any of the #MIN girls crumbled when they saw they could not affect me, or at least that’s what I showed on the exterior! Now, 50+, I quit caring long ago… it’s interesting how those types start mean and seemingly stay insecure and childish their whole life through. So happy that you and I,and countless others like us, made it through and flourished!! ✌️🌸🫶🏻🌸
PS, thank you for chiming in :)
This, “it’s interesting how those types start mean and seemingly stay insecure and childish their whole life through.” is so true, Crystal.
I think that is why is felt so good to realize I never, ever think about these people anymore. With hard and careful work, life has worked out. I don’t know about the severe MGs of high school…I don’t really want to revisit the whole thing….while editing this piece over the past weeks…I sort of seized up when I got to the Mean High School Girls…..I’m not sure what I would do if I bumped into one…fake it I guess….
👆what you said about people going through tough stuff in their lives who take out their misery on people who appear happy is exactly what I went through a couple of years ago with a couple of friends. It was especially hurtful to me because I truly loved these gals and was a really good friend to them for years. I understand that life can be brutal—I was simultaneously going through grieving the loss of my mother and 2 beloved dogs and going through menopause when these two previous friends were also struggling. The difference? I went to therapy (and still am!) and made some much-needed changes in my life instead of taking it out on them. Thankfully I have healthily moved on and found new activities and communities that are much better suited to me and my interests. I think there may have been an element of them realizing that I was also subconsciously pulling away from them due to our lack of common values and direction in life. Relationships are so complex and I have had mostly lifelong friendships—and stayed in them due to my loyal nature. I have been learning about the importance of honoring my personal evolution and finding people and ventures that reflect that. Great article Kim! I think of you and your writing every time I hear Bebe on the radio up here in Maine. They play her all the time! I need to get out and see her perform live when she is up here (one of my life passions is playing instruments and singing in groups of other music lovers! 😊).
Oh, SC...I feel you. I do not understand how one gets to be odd man out, but I have been there and it is a terrible combination of not knowing why, or what you might have done, and the actual loss of the friendship. I am glad you are on the other side of it. You sound good. Thank you for sharing your own experiences because I do think it helps make others feel less alone. It's not an easy thing to talk to people about.
Thank you for loving Bebe's work! She is playing in Portland, ME August 8!
https://www.bebestockwellmusic.com