It’s a tough situation when you’re just trying to get through your day, and someone decides to make you feel uncomfortable. A TikToker named Jordan (@jordannfitness) on TikTok, recently shared her experience after a trip to a local Walmart in South Dallas left her feeling bullied and insecure. Jordan explained that she had just finished an eight-hour shift and a workout, so she was dressed for comfort. In her video, she described her outfit as, “The long t-shirt, the leggings, and the socks over the leggings combo. So yeah, quite horrendous. I might say so myself.” She had her hair in a messy bun, but she had styled it with two hair clips to pull her hair to the sides because she has bangs. Then she noted that two high-school-aged girls walked by her. According to Jordan, “They’re walking mad close. Two birds walking mad close to the nest, um, aka my hair.” She mentioned that she personally thinks the clips are cute and trendy, noting, “I do think they’re in. So, um, yeah. I still would wear them even if my hair wasn’t a mess.” As they passed, one of the girls allegedly made a mocking comment: “I guess clips are in now.” The comment really threw her off Jordan addressed her viewers directly, saying, “So this is you. If you’ve had this experience before. Don’t do it. I felt insecure. I felt bullied. I’m a grown [adult]… I’m a woman. So yeah.” The video drew quick support from her followers. One user commented, “omggggg how rude !!! Hoes r haterz,” while another person offered some solidarity by writing, “they don’t get u like i do.” It’s easy to feel caught off guard when you’re on the receiving end of a mean-spirited comment in public. Sometimes, our instinct is to freeze, flee, or fight, but those reactions don’t always leave us feeling great. According to Psyche, there is a better way to handle these moments, which the author calls forging. Instead of letting a situation pass or reacting with anger, forging involves addressing the comment directly from a grounded place. @jordannfitness Story time #walmart #birds ♬ original sound – Jordan Psyche suggests that when you’re faced with offensive or disparaging remarks, you should check in with yourself to see if you have the energy to respond. It’s important to consider your goals, whether that’s standing up for yourself or challenging an injustice. One disabled Redditor recently posted about how she used sarcasm to stand up for herself after being shamed for a visible bra strap. However, her tactic may not work for everyone. If you decide to speak up, Psyche notes that you can use a technique called Why-Me-Ask. This involves explaining why you are choosing to engage, describing the impact the comment had on you, and making a direct request for the behavior to stop or change. The process of forging ahead can be empowering, even if the person who made the comment doesn’t react in the way you might hope. It’s all about staying true to your own values, like courage or honesty, rather than letting someone else’s words dictate how you feel. One TikToker suggested an alternative, especially if the comments come from an entitled place with unwanted advice: Lie. Whether you choose to address the situation in the moment or take some time to process it later, the most important thing is to take care of yourself. Psyche’s guide suggests that if you feel drained after an interaction, you should focus on soothing your senses, perhaps by listening to your favorite music or spending time in nature. You don’t have to be perfect, and you certainly don’t have to accept being treated poorly by others.