Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is someone that most people go through whether that's through friends, school, family or society. There are many forms of peer pressure so it's very likely that you are dealing with peer pressure whether that's to look a certain way or doing things you wouldn't normally do. If you are feeling pressure from friends i advice you to tell someone and remember that you don't have to do what they want to do and at the end of the day you will be more respected and happy with yourself if you stick to your guns than being a push over and doing what your 'friends' ask you to do. You need to make sure you make the right decision for you because if you make the wrong decision and give in you have to live with your actions for the rest of your life. Whether that is pressure to go to uni from family or go into a certain career path it's vital you make the decision for yourself and no one else no matter how happy it makes them. Your happiness should always come first. 

Peer pressure between friends and trying to fit into the 'popular' group at school is extremely common but if you need to change anything about who you are to fit into a group means they aren't meant to be your friends. They aren't worth your time or effort. Make sure you surround yourself with people that make you feel good and comfortable with who you are and always appreciate you and the relationship you have together because that's what you need at school when you will probably be very vulnerable. School is a time when you are still discovering who you are and maybe your sexuality and it's also a starter for romantic relationships and hormonal changes with dealing with all this and peer pressure can be too much for young people which can lead to mental disorders and anxiety. Not only will there be peer pressures from friends but also pressure to do well in school from teachers, government and also maybe parents. Someone as young as 14 shouldn't have to deal with all this pressure.

I am someone who is guilty for giving into peer pressure because i like making people happy and as a younger person i was so determined to seek approval. I regret this now because i should've known that the only approval i need is from me, getting their approval from school means nothing to be now so why did i feel so much pressure to be liked and approved? Now i know i don't need anyone else's approval i will make sure i don't make decisions i'm not comfortable with and always make sure i don't hurt others with my actions because of pressure. Your happiness is worth more than someone's approval even if they're a family member or friend. I shall always put me first when it comes to things like this but not in a selfish way. Yes it might seem selfish to others but you should always put you first. Nothing is worse than feeling guilty for your actions that just aren't you but you did it due to peer pressure because things like that will not get you the respect you want. 

Peer pressure doesn't just come from people but also society or media, as a female i constantly feel pressure to look a certain way and i shouldn't feel this way, no one should. No matter how many times i tell myself i look fine just as i am i see perfectly skinny girls with curves in all the right places in magazines or in clothing stores and it's not just something you can forget about. As a society we are all bombarded with how we should look, dress and weigh and not just girls but boys as well. Boys are told they should be muscular and masculine and girls are told they need to be skinny and must wear make up. We should not have to live up to the media's expectations and focus on the things that do matter such as education, poverty and simply being kind, decent beings. 

If you are struggling through pressure from any kind of situation i am always here to listen and show understanding.