Peer Pressure

Imagine: 

Picture yourself in a bustling bar, a few drinks down, and the realization hits: one more and you'll cross the line into sickness and blackouts. Some thrive in this moment, while others dread it. You resolve to stop, but then, your friend slides over with three shots, and the group starts chanting, "Drink! Drink! Drink!" The pressure builds like a stretched elastic band until, inevitably, it snaps, and you succumb. Morning arrives, and as predicted, you wake up in a haze, having blacked out.

This scenario epitomizes peer pressure—a universal experience we've all faced. There are moments when we resist, yet social forces push us toward conformity. Thoughts race: "What will they think of me if I don't? Will I appear weak?" Everyone confronts peer pressure, yet everyone retains the power to resist or yield.

But why do we care so deeply about others' opinions?

The desire to fit in, to avoid standing out as odd or weak, is ingrained in most of us. Especially in youth, the quest for acceptance is paramount. As we mature, however, this concern tends to fade. What seemed crucial in school or college becomes inconsequential in the larger scheme of life.

You aren’t going to be perfect. There will still be things you feel pressured to do no matter how much your practise. However, methods you can do to reduce the amount you feel pressured are readily available to you.

So, how can we diminish the pressure of outside opinions?

1) Remember, it's merely someone's opinion. They cannot force your hand, and if their response to your choices is unkind, they may not be true friends. It's fun to be pushed out of your comfort zone when you are in a group setting, it can be very beneficial even. However, when the comfort zone they try to push you out of is negative, that's when you need to remain strong and not give in. There are so many times where I have been asked if I wanted a cigarette. It's always gone against what I thought was healthy and so I have always had the mentality that I would never smoke. Yet, I have still been offered many times and even at the detriment of popularity, I have said no, every time. Stick to your personal values, if you sway from them too much, you may lose who you are as a person.

2) When you find yourself questioning whether you should try something, think back to your personal values. What does your gut tell you? If you are unsure but feel like there's no real harm in trying something then that's fine, but I would encourage you to think about if it's worth it, what if you get addicted if you try that cigarette? What if you do something out of the ordinary if you have too much to drink? I'm not saying to be scared and worried for your whole life, you are of course going to be curious, especially if you are young. Life is meant to be enjoyed, so do just that! All I'm saying is, think twice if you are unsure. Is the next action you are being pressured to do going to have a positive outcome? If not, then is it really worth it?

3) Surround yourself with supportive people: Seek out friends and family who respect your choices and encourage your individuality. I have some mates that I know will try to peer pressure me so any activities that might result in peer pressure, i try to avoid doing it with them and instead do it with others that I know won't care what I do. For me though, I try to just no care what they think. If people can't respect the choices you make then why would you want to be friends with them. They'll either accept it or not it.

Please let us know through our socials how you have got on.

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A good quote to finish on is this, "If you follow the crowd, then you might just get lost in it"

Have a good rest of your day :)