A hobby can be as good as a best friend, especially when you’re dealing with a bully.

I have three reasons for this:

1- Getting good at something builds confidence, focus and gives you something to be proud of about yourself. When you see yourself as accomplished, as somebody who follows out their own intentions and dreams, it raises your self-esteem. Watching yourself improve over time also builds confidence. You’ll see that you CAN do difficult things and go past your old barriers to success. If you can do one difficult thing, you can apply your success in that area to meet other goals (like beating your bully at their own game). Get out of your comfort zone and you’ll be much stronger.

2- If you have a great hobby, you always have something better to do than hang out with people who aren’t being friends:  ...