Popularity is how well you relate to others. Coolness is how well you relate to yourself.

You can be one or the other, you can be both, or you can be neither.

Coolness and popularity are not guarantees against bullying, but they add layers of protection that drive bullies away, which are available to you. Namely positive self image and an open attitude toward others.

Additionally popularity and coolness can be so elusive we put them on a pedestal—to the point that they seem out of reach, impossible to achieve. We only desperately want what we think we can’t have.

Desperately wanting either coolness or popularity is bully food bullies will sniff miles away.

Now I’m not saying every one of you is going to become the coolest most popular kid your school’s ever seen by next week. Or even that you need to be. In fact, you ...