Experiences that really, deeply changed you

*Having to live with a brother who was diagnosed as schizo affective when he was 15,the stuff I had to go through
*Becoming an Atheist
* Finally breaking free from my family's control when I was 24
* Having to fit experiences dealing with men,sex and friendships in a space of a couple of years after breaking free
* Having my kids,best thing that ever happened to me,changed my whole outlook on life and wanting to be a better person

There was some other things that way too private to put on here,but I look at every experience as a lesson to teach my girls to try and save them some pain in later years.

My 3 kids.

All 3 of them fall somewhere on the autism spectrum. Two of them are my biological kids and one is a foster son that we adopted. They are all so different and are completely amazing. They've taught me to see each person for who he or she is and to appreciate even the smallest of steps when reaching for a goal.

Moving half way across the country in middle school was rough. From middle school until about my junior year of high school I was made fun of A LOT. To this day I still find it hard to accept compliments without thinking that there is sarcasm or some kind of joke involved.

Spending a semester abroad. Proved to myself that I could be independent! I have an identical twin so I hadn't had many opportunities to be on my own.

Coming to terms with the fact that my parents and brother are addicts. I always knew, but never knew how much it bothered me until I started an internship in a treatment center. I've now worked there as a counselor for three years and am completely okay with my upbringing even if it wasn't ideal in the eyes of others, I've done the best I could with what I had and I like how I am today.

I was horribly bullied by almost everyone in my class but usually the same 4 boys. I learned early that telling the teacher doesn't matter after I was told that "nobody likes a tattletale."

It has been quite a few years now since I have seen any of them but I am still angry about it and would have no hesitation if I had the chance to push them in front of a car.

LOL good for you

Mine took turns blowing in my hair (to this day I still don't know wtf was so funny about it), making farting noises behind me, flicking boogers at me. A couple girls called me "bush wolf" because I was not allowed to get a hair straightener.

Not that I approve but I can see why high school violence happens. Clearly the teachers are seeing this but they still choose to sit these boys behind me in every damn class.

-I once had a girlfriend who made a fight with me almost every day. She was not the quiet typ, so she shouted like crazy, throwing things, had a big rage. This relationship lasted more then 4 years. Untill now, almost 25 years later, I cannot have screaming people around me.

god, yes. same. can't deal with it. now i just leave the room if someone's going off. i don't even like heated debates at the pub anymore.

the silver lining to longish crazy relationships is, they burn off whatever mundane anxieties you had before, and make you freaking grateful for every nice day after that.

I did get therapy lol

Wow okay all of you are beautiful and strong and amazing I read all of your stories and I am seriously touched by how some of you had to pull through some awful (and scary) things. ♥

Smallish list for me:

1) Being bullied and abused at an early age. Elementary school was pretty much a time when I had no safe place to go. Both school and home were bad places for me.
2) The first time I went "too far" in an argument with my sister. I realized then that there are things you shouldn't say or do to another person, no matter how upset you are.
3) My first relationship. I was a wary, secluded teenager by then and honestly wondered if men had emotions at all (most of the abuse and bullying I'd been subjected to had been at the hands of my stepfather and male classmates). My first boyfriend changed all of that by being amazingly loving and supportive.
4) The first time I moved away from home. I came to the harsh realization that I wasn't simply shy; I had social anxiety. This kept me from getting a job and sent me back home to seek help.
5) Getting therapy. I learned a lot about myself, gained confidence, and am moving towards recovery for my anxiety.
6) Going to college. Now that I'm out of high school, I'm becoming a better student, learning more about the world than I ever have, and feeling like I'm actually going somewhere with my life.

When I was like 10, I was alone at home (normal thing to do back home as we mature fairly fast). I heard somebody breaking the window glass and trying to run after me. I took off and ran out the door screaming to the neighbors home. The person who broke in took off.

Police came and did a search. They saw something on the floor during their search and gave it to my parents. My parents seemed mortified after seeing whatever was given to them. They hugged me tightly. I didn't said anything.

After a week or 2 I got the courage to ask them what was it. After discussing privately my parents decided that its best I know so I can keep better alert. They showed me a picture of me taken from my bedroom closet while I was sleeping.

WOW! That is some really frightening stuff.

- Survival School.

SERE? Where'd you go?