Bullies will lean on "it was a joke, get thicker skin" to camouflage verbal & emotional abuse-- & gaslight us into feeling shame for having a reaction to it.
There is zero shame in having a reaction to hurtful words & behavior-- at any point in our lives, not just childhood.
Your story has value. It has meaning. What you've been through & learned, how you arrived here & now as the person you are-- it all matters.
"They" may or may not think so, but basing your self-esteem on "their" attention span is a trap (& always has been).
Honor your story.