Just Ignore Them = Play It Off

Has anyone told you to "just ignore" the bully? Of course they have! It's good advice, but people rarely explain how to do it correctly. Bullies take negative action against others, and when they come after you, you need to play it off. When people tell you to "ignore", they mean to play it off. Your goal is to make light of or to make less of the bully. We will go through five non-verbal signals or cues you can use to subtly show others the bully doesn't matter to you and you're ignoring them. The five cues are the shrug, the fake smile, the three-second stare, the cringe and the wrinkled nose. Each cue conveys a unique meaning and holds a hidden power of reversal for you. As long as you don't overplay it, you'll send the message loud and clear.Disclaimer: Keep in mind I am a teacher, not a therapist nor healthcare provider. It's my pleasure to provide lessons here to teach young people about the pattern of bullying and successful ways to approach it. I ask all young listeners to reach out to trusted adults and parents before implementing the lessons in their personal lives. This content is not meant to replace advice from a therapist or provider. Listening and learning here is your choice, as is any decision you make to act on what you learn. I do not know all of you personally, so I cannot provide personalized instruction during the episodes. However, I'm here to help and support you, and I want the best for you.