You left out an option.

People start talking shit about you/mocking you -> you call them out publicly, stand up for yourself, not with aggression but with assertiveness. “Dude, what the fuck is your problem? I’m not doing a damn thing and here you are disrespecting me for no reason. You that insecure? You gotta drag people down? How about you grow the fuck up. You wish you were more like me.”

Problem with this, is that it takes a certain level of self confidence that doesn’t come easy for a lot of people. And you have to be ready for pushback, which is okay, because now if you have to get aggressive, it’s because someone else got aggressive first.

Also, an ounce of prevention: Live your life in such a way that you’re true to yourself, exudes confidence, and doesn’t invite derision. Be proactively kind. Make friends and allies.

If you have to work at that, then do so.