Peer pressure is not always negative, sometimes it has a positive impact. But let’s be real, peer pressure can be sneaky, annoying, and sometimes toxic. One minute you’re chilling, and the next, someone’s trying to talk you into doing something that feels totally off.
It can influence decisions about everything, from fashion and hobbies to risky behaviors like drinking, smoking, or skipping school. But guess what? You don’t need to say “yes” to nonsense just to be accepted.
If someone needs you to go against your values or lower your standards to like you, they’re not your people.
Here are 5 ways to shun peer pressure effectively.
1. Know Your Worth And Be Loud About It
You are asked to write about yourself, an eternity later, you have barely written 5 lines. When you can’t even write about yourself, how then can you be loud about your worth?
When you know your values, it becomes hard to get influenced, and peer pressure has nothing on you.
People only push buttons when they know they have the liberty to. So move your buttons, even better; take the batteries out.
2. Say No And Mean It
Because you don’t want your friends to laugh at you, and say “Guy, you no be pikin na”, you decided to try smoking a stick of cigarette, and ended up swallowing it… oh chim!
“No” isn’t rude. “No” isn’t awkward. Let’s stop pretending that saying “no” is hard. Say it with a smirk if you have to:
- “Nah, I’m good”
- “Hard pass”
- “Nice try, but I’ve got better things to do”
Own it, and say it with your full chest. Nobody will beat you. Chest out, if your chest is not full enough.
3. Do Away With Fake Friends
You are constantly being dared, at every game of “truth or dare”, to do crazy things you’re not comfortable with, and you are told you can’t refuse because that’s the rule of the game.
Real friends won’t push you to do what doesn’t sit well with you. Instead, they respect your decisions and boundaries.
The people you surround yourself with have a big impact on your ability to handle peer pressure. Seek out friendships based on mutual respect, shared interests, and similar values.
ALSO READ: How To Effectively Friendzone Someone
4. Buy More Time
- “Let me think about it”
- “Maybe later”
- “I’ll get back to you in a few days”
If you are not sure how to respond, it’s okay to take a moment. Don’t be too quick to give a response. Give yourself time to understand the situation.
You can also suggest a safer, and more interesting activity, if your friends want to do something risky. Take control of the moment!
5. Be Confident
This starts with loving and accepting yourself, that way you are less likely to give in to peer pressure.
Know your strengths, and dare to be different. You attract respect from others when you are not going out of your way to please everybody just to fit in.
It is normal to want to fit in with friends and peers, but it’s also important to stay true to your values and make the right decisions.
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Peer pressure only works if you allow it. Shunning peer pressure doesn’t mean you isolate yourself, or constantly go against everyone. It means resisting the influence of others, especially when they try to force you into doing something that is against your wish.
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