I've recently realized something about myself. So my middle school experience was not a good one, there were good parts of it but overall it was miserable. While I was reasonable confident in elementary school, I became increasingly insecure in middle school. Kids can be really mean, and I don't think the age range of middle school are anyone's best years.
The realization that I had was that though it's been years since I escaped the hell that was middle school, I've still been carrying middle school around with me. I've been carrying around feelings of inferiority with me since then and letting people make me feel inferior. It was a light bulb/eureka moment when I realized this. I'd heard the quote from Elenore Roosevelt many times which says that no one can make you feel inferior without your permission but while it sounded nice, I didn't really know how to apply it in my own life.
I feel like a weight has lifted off my now, I don't intend to take middle school around with me any more. I'm building better self confidence and self worth. I know it won't be a magic wand waved and the problem will be solved, but I'm changing my mind set. I hated the way I felt in middle school and I'm happy to be putting it behind me once and for all.
To anyone out there who may still be struggling with middle school, etc. I wish you the best of luck in being able to leave it behind.