My brother literally RUINED my life!
@lilbabycatapillar (497)
United States
June 11, 2011 1:48am CST
I'm going to graduate high school in 12 days, and it's a huge weight off my chest that I've had for 13 years, from kindergarten to my senior year.
The reason is, I've always known I was different. I have a high level of self esteem. I know I'm clever, and smart, and I'm loyal to people who are my friends. I'm a fine person to be around, there's nothing wrong with me, just as I am.
So why has it been so hard for me to make friends? I spend most of these years with almost no friends. I'm not ugly at all, in fact, I like to think I'm sort of pretty- though I did have a long awkward stage with glasses and braces!
I get panic attacks when it comes to approaching people. I overthink it. I don't want anyone to think I'm boring or annoying or awkward. My lack of comfort within myself has made it nearly impossible to make friends.
What I realized tonight is that it comes from just one place.
Almost constantly, when I was little, my brother, two years older than me, would constantly tease me about everything I did. He belittled me, and made me feel stupid, and made me believe I was always uncool and annoying and stupid. He made me feel like everything I ever did was wrong.
So as much as I know I'm this great person, I can't help but blame myself whenever something goes wrong. I feel inferior when it comes to social skills. Maybe as a defense mechanism, I put myself on a pedestal, too- it's just come to a point where I'd feel completely disconnected to everyone around me. I would just be nervous, all the time.
In hindsight, I don't think I was as disliked as I felt I was, in school. But I was just so insecure of myself. It wasn't really a problem with me, but how I presented myself. I didn't know how. I got scared all of the time.
So I spent 13 very long, very difficult years of being the last picked in gym and not having a partner for projects. It was lonely. It was a dark place that I never want to be in again.
I've found myself, and I'm slowly overcoming it, and it's getting better. I have so much to do in this life. But I now know that this suffering came from my own brother, and he has no idea how much he has damaged me. He was young too, at the time, and had no idea how much it was going to affect me.
As much as I don't like the idea of putting so much of a blame on one person, it's true, and I know this isn't my fault. But now it's on me to overcome it. If you have any advice for me to become more comfortable with myself, please share!
1 person likes this
3 responses
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
12 Jun 11
You shouldn't let your brother bother you, and degrade you in such level. For me, I probably felt the same too, because I spend most of the time to be alone, and not having much friends either. I wish that I can be open - minded, and talk to more people, and socialize more often. That was one of my obstacle and problem of my own too. I wish that you can pick up your self - esteem, and work it on yourself again. Remember, you are great.
@bird123 (10658)
• United States
12 Jun 11
Why is it so important to find Blame??? Does blaming your brother make you feel better??? Will you hurt your brother now blaming him for all your problems???? It doesn't matter what everyone else does in the world. It's what you do that counts. Didn't you choose to believe what you brother told you??? Could some of the Blame rest on you?? What really counts is the solution. Could there be other reasons beside your brother?? If you think you are better than others, maybe people see you as a snob and don't want to be around you. Are you friendly,warm and inviting?? Maybe you expect others to come to you. I have found that making friends is very easy. Don't make it about you. If you give warmly unconditional love and kindness to everyone you meet. Help those you can and encourage those you can't. I find friends are everywhere. Ever seen a cute little puppy dog. There are lots of lessons about making friends you could learn from that dog. OK! Results. Forget Blame. Work at your problem. The world can change before your eyes. First, you must change yourself. I offer these comments with my the love and kindness. 

@wongchoiyee (7413)
• Malaysia
11 Jun 11
I have a younger brother who is now a lawyer. He belittles me when he was studying for the degree and I felt I was stupid to be his sister. I just want to be alone at all time. Until few months ago he left home and moved out. I feel terrible and blaming myself. So I calm myself by saying let go the past whether we both right or wrong and pray for forgiveness. And now its becoming better.



