How to deal with peer pressure?

Alright, so today, let’s talk about peer pressure. You know why I’m not starting this post with a lengthy introduction like usual, but instead come straight to the point? Well, this is because this is such a common issue that many high schoolers face. Although it’s likely that this sense of peer pressure isn’t created by other people pushing this mindset into your head, just looking at someone in your class having straight As and doing really well in many aspects can easily make you feel pressured and insecure about yourself, right? Personally, many people actually come to tell me that I make them pressured, but sometimes, in seeing other people getting great accomplishments in academics (especially), it certainly creates some sense of peer pressure within me. Because of this, I believe that this is a very important issue that we certainly will need to address. Alright, so without any further ado, let’s jump into this post already (by the way, isn’t it ironic where I initially said that “I’m not starting this post with a lengthy introduction like usual, but instead come straight to the point”, but then I ended up writing a lengthy introductory paragraph?)

The first thing that I want to share with you all here is that you need to realize that you have strengths yourself. Personally, I believe that life is always fair to everyone, and that everything is not always perfect in all aspects of life. Because of this, anyone will have some strengths in one thing, while some flaws in another. In seeing other people doing extraordinary things, never feel insecure of yourself - remember that even if you realize it or not, there are things that you can do better than other people, even if they are less-significant things. Only when you realize your self-worth and how special you are, only then can you lift this mindset out of your mind.

The second thing is that if you want to move yourself upwards, don’t look at very talented people as a challenge for you first of all. As I have said before, some people are born gifted in certain things, so it’s very reasonable that they will be very good at it. Because of this, as a person who isn’t born with the strength in that particular thing, make yourself move slowly upwards by turning peer pressure into motivation! By this, I mean that when peer pressure occurs, you realize that there are people with greatest achievements that you, right? Instead of looking at the top-of-the-pyramid people, shift your attention to people who are slightly better than you, and turn this peer pressure into a challenge, for you to better yourself so that you can reach the level of the person you are aiming for. When you realize that the goal that you are making is more realistic, and that you certainly have the capability to get to that level, it’s for sure that you will have the determination to do it!

The last thing that I need you to know about is that you need to realize that peer pressure isn’t a reason for not trying harder and harder, and recognize the importance of changing yourself. I know that peer pressure is often harmful as it makes you compare yourself to better people, but whereas I don’t appreciate negative self-talk, it is the harsh truth to realize that the fact that this peer pressure exists can come from you not being the best of your ability. It’s true that people are naturally good, but it can also be because you are not trying hard, so sometimes it isn’t only their fault for existing, but also a part of your fault, too! This is very important to recognize since when you realize the causes of peer pressure, you can work in bettering yourself. On the other hand, definitely don’t turn this thing into an excuse for not trying harder - let’s be real here: peer pressure is very common, and you can not expect yourself to be the best in everything, since essentially we are not born to be built that way. Because of this, always realize that you need to try hard in life, especially things that you believe that you are good at.

At the end of the day, peer pressure is something that is very common and normal, but please never let peer pressure let yourself down - turn this into a chance to learn more about yourself, as well as a chance to make yourself grow! All activities in the world around the world aren’t considered positive and negative on its own, but rather, it is about our own selves that are labeling them as either good or bad. Because of this fact, look at peer pressure in a more optimistic light, and definitely turn this into motivation for you to move forward!