Growing up or even up to now, I used to get these reactions everywhere. "What? You are on your 5th grade already? You look like a 1st grader". "Really? You're in college? You look like 14". "Are you serious you are 25? You look like a gradeschooler".
I started school when I was 3. Imagine how clueless I was to enter how insensitive the world would be. I'm always the first one on the line during flag ceremonies. I get laughed at when I can't reach the blackboard for an activity. It was just full of bullying.
I would say, this is mainly the reason of my introversion. I slowly isolated myself from the people around me because of my appearance. I asked myself, what is wrong with me? I kept overthinking then I lost confidence.
I finished college, and I got a job offer in a private school as a college instructor. I didn't even realize at that moment how should I deal the criticisms. How the heck did I go for this?
Moment of truth, I was so nervous and so conscious of how I look back then. They meet me for the first time, and as expected, they're all in awe realizing I'm gonna be their teacher.
Time passed by, I started to like the profession because of how my students respected me. Well, there are still some of them who don't treat me as their teacher. Rather, I did not focus on those negative statements.
I was too concern of how people think about me before. Reality is, people will always say things to us regardless of race, color, height, body figure and mental capacities.
So, I have learned to accept myself and just be who I am. I mean, I've been eating these judgments since I was 3. So I guess it's time to move on?
My students helped me to realize that I don't need to ask for someone's validation because I know my worth and I have value.
It's just amazing how you learn from each other and not just a one-sided typical teacher student relationship.
We remained good friends up to now even though I resigned for some reason.
I can still remember those people who gave such insensitive statements towards me. So I guess, the pain didn't go away. I just get used to it.
Thank you @bheng620 for your upvote ☺️