The urge to fit in and feel like a part of a group is natural, and most individuals, especially in their teen and young adult years, experience it. Peer pressure, or the sense that you have to do something in order to fit in, be recognized, or be appreciated, can be difficult to overcome. It can be obvious or subtle. While dealing with this pressure might be difficult, it's critical to consider your own unique values and make decisions based on them.
Handling peer pressure is typically not tough if you are solely surrounded by people who share your views and practices. In a collegiate setting, though, you are likely to encounter people with a wide range of beliefs and behaviors. It may seem simple to know where you're going and act accordingly at times, but you may also feel confused, pushed, or inclined to act towards your own decision at other times. Furthermore, college may be a period when you are away from home and family and have more freedom to make your own decisions than you did previously. As a way to develop your own identity and try new things, you can feel tempted to do things your family does not really do or doesn't think are acceptable. Again, it's critical to consider what matters to you, your beliefs, and who you want to be. Try the following tactics when faced with unsubtle or subtle pressure to do that you're not really convinced about:
Allow yourself to avoid individuals or things that don't seem right, and to leave an uncomfortable situation. Setting limits and boundaries is perfectly acceptable.
Hang out with people who will accept your choices and will not put you under undue pressure to live up.
Instead of offering a quick response, give yourself time to consider your options.
Remember that you can't (and shouldn't) please everybody or win everyone's approval. Although accepting this can be difficult, it is beneficial to attempt.
Make a self-check-in. "How do I feel about this?" you might inquire. "Does this make sense to you?"
If you are a typical teenager who has been subjected to peer pressure, you are not alone. This often seems like we can't get away from it these days. I've seen firsthand how peer pressure affects students at school. I was persuaded that my peers had larger social circles and thus went out more. I remember being so preoccupied with the notion that I was kind of failing as a person because I wasn't exactly like them. But the one piece of advice that a wise person told me is to stay confident in who you are, the only person you should aspire to impress is yourself – and there will be people out there who understand you even if you've never found them yet.
Source: How to Deal with Peer Pressure | Addiction & Peer Pressure. (2021). Retrieved 23 May 2022, from https://www.aspenridgerecoverycenters.com/how-to-deal-with-peer-pressure/
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