Our very own Shaz dog has reflected on how she overcame being bullied and attacked with negative comments in a TikTok from backstage at Dancing With The Stars NZ.
Dancing in one of her fab DWTS dresses to Marren Morris' song 'Second Wind', Sharyn captioned the clip 'TFW even when people tried to break your spirit, but you never gave up and now live your dreams.'
"Never. Ever. Listen. To. People. Who. Suck," she wrote on Insta.
"I frickin love this song by @marenmorris and it makes me think of all the people in my life that bullied me, negged me, wanted to see me fail.
"So do you, boo."
Shaz told us she learned to block out the noise of nay-sayers by "looking forward, not sideways".
"It’s not foolproof and every now and then something will rock me if it is personal or untrue, but I always get back up and realise whose opinion really matters."
She says these days, the people that used to bully her are now usually "super nice to her" or try to add her on Facebook. "To be honest, I sometimes think they probably didn't even realise, and it's just who they are."
To anyone else struggling with bullying or self-doubt, Sharyn says "don't ignore it or accept it".
"I look back at school life now and think when it comes to friends - quality over quantity. It’s better to have one awesome friends than 5 shit ones.
"If you need help or it’s destroying you please make sure you tell someone who can help you, because you absolutely do not deserve it and should never feel unsafe."
If you or someone you know is being bullied or feeling low, these places can help:
- Netsafe: Call on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723) or text 'Netsafe’ to 4282
- Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234
- What's Up?: Call 0800 942 8787 or chat online
- Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
- Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202
