Used to Be One of the Rotten Ones: A Raw Journey from Mess to Meaning

Hey there, welcome to my lil’ corner of the internet! Today, I’m gettin’ real with y’all about somethin’ that’s been rattlin’ around in my head for a while now. So, let’s dive straight into it with a title that grabs ya by the heartstrings.

Ever felt like you were just a total screw-up? Like, back in the day, you were one of the “rotten ones”—the kid who broke rules, broke hearts, or just broke down under the weight of it all? Man, I’ve been there. That phrase, “used to be one of the rotten ones,” hits me like a freight train every time I think about it. It’s like lookin’ in a cracked mirror at the old me—wild, lost, and a little messed up. But here’s the kicker: that ain’t who I am now. And if you’re readin’ this, maybe you’re lookin’ to leave your own “rotten” past behind too. So, lemme unpack this idea, share my story, and drop some hard-earned wisdom on how to turn that mess into somethin’ meaningful.

What Does “Used to Be One of the Rotten Ones” Even Mean?

Alright, let’s break this down real simple. When I say “used to be one of the rotten ones,” I’m talkin’ about a time when I wasn’t exactly the best version of myself. Maybe I was selfish, reckless, or just plain angry at the world. Think of it like this:

• Rotten on the outside: Actin’ out, causin’ trouble, maybe hangin’ with the wrong crowd or makin’ choices that hurt others (and myself).
• Rotten on the inside: Feelin’ empty, like I didn’t belong nowhere, wrestlin’ with stuff I couldn’t even name back then.
• “Used to be” part: That’s the hope, y’know? It means I ain’t that person no more. I’ve changed, grown, or at least I’m tryin’ to.

For me, this phrase feels like a confession and a victory all at once It’s ownin’ up to the fact that I wasn’t always a good egg, but also celebratin’ that I’ve moved past it. And trust me, if I can do it, so can you

My Story: The Rotten Days

Lemme take ya back to when I was a teenager, ‘round 16 or 17, thinkin’ I knew everythin’ but really knowin’ jack squat. I was one of them kids you’d call “rotten” without even blinkin’ I skipped school more than I showed up, mouthed off to teachers, and got into scraps with anyone who looked at me funny. My folks? They didn’t know what to do with me. I remember my ma sayin’, “Boy, you’re gonna end up nowhere fast if you keep this up.” And damn, she weren’t wrong

I hung out with a crew that was just as lost as me. We’d sneak out at night, mess around in places we shouldn’t, and think we were untouchable. But deep down, I knew I was just runnin’ from stuff—family drama, feelin’ like I wasn’t good enough, all that junk. I “used to be one of the rotten ones” because I didn’t know how to be anything else. It was like I was stuck in this cycle of actin’ tough to hide how scared I was.

But here’s where it gets messy. One night, things went too far. Me and my so-called buddies got caught doin’ somethin’ real dumb—vandalizin’ some old shop downtown. Cops showed up, and while I didn’t get hauled off, the look on my old man’s face when he had to come get me… man, that broke somethin’ in me. I saw how tired he was, how much I’d let him down. That was the first time I really thought, “I can’t keep bein’ one of the rotten ones forever.”

The Turnin’ Point: Shakin’ Off the Rot

Now, I ain’t gonna sit here and say I flipped a switch and became a saint overnight. Nah, change don’t work like that. It’s slow, messy, and sometimes you slip back into old habits. But that night was a wake-up call. I started thinkin’ about who I wanted to be, not just who I was. I didn’t wanna stay “one of the rotten ones”—I wanted to be someone my family could be proud of, someone I could be proud of.

So, I started small. I showed up to class more, even if I didn’t wanna. I ditched some of them toxic friends, which was hard as heck ‘cause they were all I knew. I got a part-time gig flippin’ burgers, and yeah, it sucked, but it gave me somethin’ to focus on. Little by little, I was peelin’ away that “rotten” label I’d stuck on myself.

Why We All Got a Bit of Rotten in Us

Here’s the thing, y’all—I don’t think I’m special for havin’ a rough patch. Most of us, at some point, have felt like we “used to be one of the rotten ones.” Maybe you weren’t a troublemaker like me. Maybe your “rotten” was somethin’ quieter, like pushin’ people away or givin’ up on yourself. Check out some common ways we’ve all been a lil’ rotten:

• Rebellion: Actin’ out against parents, teachers, or just “the system” ‘cause you felt trapped.
• Self-sabotage: Messin’ up opportunities ‘cause you didn’t think you deserved ‘em.
• Hurtin’ others: Sayin’ or doin’ things you regret ‘cause you were hurtin’ inside.
• Givin’ up: Lettin’ yourself rot by not tryin’, not carin’, just floatin’ through life.

Sound familiar? If it does don’t beat yourself up. Bein’ “one of the rotten ones” don’t define you forever. It’s just a chapter not the whole dang book.

How to Stop Bein’ One of the Rotten Ones

Alright, enough of the heavy stuff—let’s talk about how to move past it. I ain’t no expert, but I’ve figured out a few things along the way. Here’s some straight-up advice on how to shake off that “rotten” vibe and start fresh. I’ve put it in a lil’ table so it’s easy to skim:

These steps ain’t rocket science, but they worked for me. Start with ownin’ that you “used to be one of the rotten ones,” and then build from there. It’s like cleanin’ out a junk drawer—one piece at a time ‘til it’s all sorted.

The Power of Music in Feelin’ This Phrase

I gotta say, there’s somethin’ about music that just nails these kinda feelings. There’s this one song that always gets me thinkin’ about bein’ “one of the rotten ones.” It’s got this haunting vibe, like it’s lookin’ back on youth with both sadness and a weird kinda beauty. The way it repeats that idea of bein’ flawed but movin’ on—it’s like a gut punch. I ain’t gonna name-drop it, but if you’ve heard tunes about growin’ up and messin’ up, you prob’ly know the feelin’. Music’s got this way of makin’ us feel seen, like someone else out there gets what it’s like to have been rotten once.

For me, listenin’ to stuff like that reminds me I ain’t alone. It’s like a soundtrack to my old self, but also a nudge to keep goin’. If you got a song that hits you like that, crank it up next time you’re feelin’ stuck. Let it remind ya that bein’ “one of the rotten ones” is just a phase, not a life sentence.

Lookin’ Back Without Regret

Now that I’m older (and hopefully a bit wiser), I can look back on them rotten days without cringin’ too much. Sure, I did some dumb stuff, but them mistakes taught me a lot. I learned how to say sorry and mean it. I learned I’m stronger than I thought, ‘cause I pulled myself outta that hole. And most of all, I learned that “used to be one of the rotten ones” don’t mean I’m rotten now.

I think that’s the real magic of this phrase. It’s past tense, y’know? It’s sayin’ yeah, I was a mess, but I ain’t stayin’ there. And if you’re readin’ this thinkin’ you’re still one of the rotten ones, I’m here to tell ya—you don’t gotta be. You got the power to change your story, just like I did.

Passin’ the Torch: Helpin’ Others Move On

One thing I’ve started doin’ lately is tryin’ to help others who feel like they’re stuck bein’ “one of the rotten ones.” Maybe it’s a kid in my neighborhood who’s actin’ out, or a friend who’s goin’ through a rough patch. I don’t lecture ‘em—lord knows that don’t work. Instead, I just share a bit of my story, let ‘em know I’ve been there, and offer to listen. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to plant a seed of hope.

Here’s a few ways you can do the same:

• Be real with ‘em: Don’t pretend you’ve always been perfect. Admit you “used to be one of the rotten ones” too.
• Don’t judge: Ain’t nobody gonna open up if they feel like you’re lookin’ down on ‘em.
• Offer a hand: Whether it’s helpin’ with a job app or just grabbin’ a coffee to chat, show ya care.
• Share your wins: Tell ‘em how you got past it. It might inspire ‘em to try.

We’ve all got a chance to turn our old “rotten” into somethin’ good by helpin’ someone else. It’s like payin’ it forward, ya dig?

Embracin’ the Journey, Rotten and All

As I wrap this up, I wanna leave ya with this: bein’ “one of the rotten ones” ain’t the end of your story. It’s just a part of it—a part that shapes ya, teaches ya, and maybe even makes ya stronger. I look back on my wild, messy teenage self and yeah, I shake my head sometimes, but I also kinda smile. ‘Cause that kid fought through a lotta crap to become who I am today.

So, if you’re sittin’ there feelin’ like you’re still rotten, or if you’re lookin’ back thinkin’ “man, I used to be one of the rotten ones,” know this—you’re not alone, and you’re not stuck. Take it one day at a time, make them small changes, and before ya know it, you’ll be writin’ your own comeback story. We’re all in this together, stumblin’ through life and figurin’ it out as we go. Keep pushin’, alright? I’m rootin’ for ya.