Letter #11 — Unshakeable: How to Stay Strong When People Try to Bring You Down

Ok kids,

This letter comes from some of the things you’ve been telling us lately: about how other children sometimes say mean or hurtful things, either to you or about others. And I want you to know that this is something everyone faces in life throughout their lives. It starts from school and it continues all the way through adulthood.

People will sometimes speak unkindly because they don’t feel good about themselves. Maybe they’ve been put down by others, or they’ve learned that teasing gives them a brief feeling of power. In truth, it’s rarely about you — it’s about them.

So here’s what I need you to remember: their words only have power if you let them.
They can throw their words at you, but it’s up to you whether to catch them or let them fall.

If someone calls you a name at school, don’t carry it home like a heavy bag. Just shrug it off, maybe even smile at them, and think to yourself, “That says more about you than me.”
If someone mocks you as a teenager, just laugh it off — “Yeah, cool, thanks for that comment” — and carry on with your day. Don’t give them what they want: which is your reaction. Because once you rise above it, you win.

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💭 The Power of Not Reacting

The moment you choose not to react, you gain power.
This is one of the hardest yet most freeing lessons in life.

When you stay calm, you take away their control. When you refuse to let anger or sadness take over, you become stronger — not just emotionally, but mentally too.
Psychologists call this emotional regulation — the ability to manage your own feelings even when someone else tries to stir them.

Your strength doesn’t come from shouting back or proving yourself. It comes from knowing your worth so deeply that no insult, rumour, or opinion can shake it. That’s why we always remind you to build your inner world stronger than the outer one.

Here’s something to think about: if someone can annoy you and make you react, they’re holding the remote control to your emotions. Every time you let them push your buttons, you hand that control over. But you should be the one holding your own remote — calm, steady, and in charge of how you move through life.

It’s the same principle we spoke about in Letter #1 — The Way You Speak to Yourself: your inner voice decides how you feel, not the words of others.

And the best part is – once you stop reacting to negativity, it loses interest in you. The world tends to leave people alone when they can’t be easily shaken.

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🌿 The Flip Side — Staying Humble

Now let’s look at the other side of the coin. Sometimes, life will lift you up. You might do well at something — in school, in sports, or in business — and suddenly people will praise you. Compliments can be just as dangerous as insults if you let them feed your ego.

I remember my uncle — a very wealthy man — and I’d watch how people constantly pandered to him. They’d flatter him, agree with everything he said, and act impressed around him, and over time it made him arrogant. It wasn’t because he was bad at heart, but because he got used to people feeding his pride.

But here’s something I’ve always noticed in life: when people start boasting too much, life has a way of humbling them. Sometimes, the very thing they brag about is what they end up losing. That’s why we say — no big egos allowed in this family. Stay grateful, stay grounded, and never think you’re above anyone.

If you’re praised, say thank you with sincerity — and then get back to work. True greatness is quiet.

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🕊️ Be the Mountain, Not the Weather

People’s opinions change like the weather — warm one day, cold the next. But your character should be steady, like a mountain.
It doesn’t crumble because someone shouted at it. It doesn’t swell with pride when someone admires it. It simply stands tall and calm, knowing its worth.

So when words come your way, good or bad, let them pass like the wind.
Remember, you are unshakeable — because your peace comes from within, not from anyone else’s approval or insult.

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✨ What You Should Do Now

So now that you know what to do — go apply it.

You’ll learn faster, grow stronger, and feel prouder every time you practise.

And if you’d like help getting started — we’ve made something special for you.✨
A Confidence & Resilience Pack — with reflection worksheets, scenarios, and practical exercises to help you build emotional strength and self-belief.

👉 [Click here to download your Confidence Pack]

Love you lots,
Mum and Dad