I Want to Ask You, Vocal

Someone told me that I was not normal for my age today, prompting me to write this story.

I have spent all of my life being told I am different and being bullied for it by those who like to think they are more mature than me. I also have something to say about it.

Bullying does not make you mature in any way.

I am 49 years old, and I will turn 50 years old in July.

My growth was slowed by trauma, and I don't mature as fast as others who are the same age as me. I also know that I look younger for my age, but I don't need to be told that by everyone I speak to.

Now, allow me to talk about my hobbies, because this is why I constantly get told that I'm not normal for my age.

I have a lot of hobbies, so I'm only going to list a few:

• Singing
• Dancing
• Animal Crossing
• Reading

• Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Angel

I also love playing a variety of different games, and yes, I decorate my house in a mixture of styles, from colourful to dark, and I have personalised a room to represent the teenager in me, and the adult. This means it's a mixture of Gothic, Musical, and cute themes.

These styles represent all parts of me, from the child within, the teenager, and the adult.

I am an adult, but my younger self is still trying to grow up after decades of trauma and bullying.

These people do not think about what a person might have been through before opening their mouths.

The interesting point is that some of these people talking are the ones who get a kick out of still trying to be a bully, and it is very wrong.

One thing I have learned from the heartbreak of bullying over the years is that people living in this world are not as accepting of others as they should be.

We hear people talking about mental health and stigma all the time, and we also hear others shouting out against bullying.

It's easy to do these things behind closed doors, where the true person behind these kind words can't be seen.

Some people turn out to be different when the mask comes off, and they come face-to-face with you in real life.

Humanity is too short to bully others just because they are not like you.

If a person could see a cloned version of themselves and come face-to-face with their own flaws, would they bully themselves, too?

I'm one of the most sensitive people you will ever meet, and I'm also a very gentle and kind person. However, this is where the problem with bullying truly lies.

People don't like people like me because we strive to be kind and give our hearts, no matter the situation.

People like me are always being bullied for being different, so I'm asking you to look inside your hearts and think about what makes you different.

Everyone has flaws and imperfections, but it is those who are not afraid to be seen with them that make the best friends.

I have suffered too much pain to want to change for anyone else, so if you think I'm not normal or mature enough for my age, know this;

I am done with changing just to suit those who bully.

Living is hard enough,

but can you change enough to make the world easier for all of us to get along?

So I'm asking you, Vocal.

Is there anyone else out there, like me?

What is normal anyway?