Discouraged pensive African American woman looking into distance thinking about ways to solve financial problems. Frightened black girl sits on sofa in living room having lost mood due to inflation

Never fitting in as a kid can quietly shape 10 adult behaviors

Growing up as the odd one out isn’t always about the big, dramatic bullying you see on TV. It’s usually much more boring and lonely than that. It’s the memory of standing on the edge of a group, physically leaning in but knowing you aren't actually in the circle. It’s that weird, quiet sting when you’re the last person assigned to a lab partner because the teacher had to choose for you. We grow up and think we’re just "naturally shy" or "private," but usually, we’re just carrying around a survival kit we built in the fourth grade to keep from getting hurt.