Picture this: you're in an environment where ignorance is the norm, and closed-mindedness is as common as breathing. It's a place where people are quick to judge, quick to dismiss, and even quicker to bully anyone who doesn't fit into their narrow view of the world. Sound familiar? If so, you're not alone.
This post? It's my first step in really exploring this topic. It's the beginning of a journey to understand why people get stuck in small-minded thinking and how their behavior impacts the people around them. In future posts, I'm going to get into setting boundaries and protecting yourself in these kinds of situations. But for now, this is where my head's at.
My Journey
I've been reflecting on something that's been weighing on me for a while now. Growing up, I had a stutter, ADHD, autism, dyscalculia, and apraxia, and struggled with various other things and "disabilities". Yet, I can confidently say I never felt bullied—not in a way that left me dreading school or questioning my self-worth. Even in moments of cultural tension in middle and high school, I never experienced anything beyond surface-level disagreements.
The First Experience of Bullying
It wasn't until my mid-20s that I encountered bullying for the first time. As I started journaling and unpacking these experiences, I noticed a pattern. The bullying always happened in environments filled with people who were small-minded, uneducated, or deeply rooted in their cultural bubbles. At first, I thought the issue was simply cultural differences, but over time, I realized the common denominator wasn't ONLY culture—it was the rejection of intellectualism, curiosity, and open-mindedness. If I made a mind map of the traits of each of these individuals, they all have things in common such as
- ignorance
- gossiping
- fear of travel
- fear of change
- short-term thinking and decision making
- lack of critical thinking skills
- lack of curiosity
- lack of empathy (mostly towards others with significant differences, ie race, religion, intellect, etc)
Navigating Toxic Environments
These environments were marked by a stark lack of competence and common sense. I've found myself repeatedly surrounded by people who not only dismissed different perspectives but also made instant, superficial judgments based on appearance or circumstances. This kind of ignorance feels exhausting to confront, especially when it manifests as bullying or exclusion.
A Revealing Moment
One experience stands out vividly. After sharing my mental health struggles from the previous year—directly tied to a toxic environment—I was met with an incredibly ignorant comment. It wasn't just dismissive; it revealed a deep inability to connect basic cause-and-effect. It made me realize that small minds often lack the capacity to engage with nuance or complexity.
Patterns of Small-Mindedness
Across various jobs and environments, I've noticed the same traits among these individuals. They spend their time gossiping or fixating on trivial matters. If you try to discuss anything substantive—science, history, or even simple questions about the world—they're completely disengaged. This kind of intellectual complacency feels stifling, and I've often found myself having to downplay my intellect to fit in, which only leaves me frustrated and drained.
The Root of the Problem
This recurring pattern has left me questioning what leads people to become this way. Is it upbringing? A lack of education? Misinformation? Nation/state-controlled media? A lack of exposure to different perspectives? Or perhaps an internal fear of being challenged? For me, the challenge is listening to ignorance without losing my patience. For them, perhaps the challenge is engaging with ideas that feel unfamiliar or intimidating.
The Bullying Connection
What I know for certain is that there's a strong correlation between small-mindedness and bullying. It seems to stem from insecurity and a need to tear down what feels foreign or threatening. Understanding these dynamics is helping me make sense of these experiences and reclaim my confidence, which took a hit from constantly questioning myself in these environments.
Your Thoughts
So, my question to you is this—have you ever been in an environment like this? Where ignorance and closed-mindedness were the norm? How did you handle it? Did you find ways to build empathy and understanding, even for the small-minded folks? I'm genuinely curious to hear your stories and insights. Because at the end of the day, I think this is a journey we're all navigating in one way or another.
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