How to Not Let Peer Pressure Get to You

Have you ever crossed your own boundary and done something you weren't fully comfortable with (or that you just downright didn't want to do), only because other people around you were doing it?

No matter what you felt pressured to do, what you were experiencing was probably peer pressure. While we'd all love to act like we're immune to it, it's something that happens to, well, all of us—even when we don't realize it. But with peer pressure being so rampant, especially in today's heavily social media-influenced society, how are you supposed to prevent it from getting to you? It may be easier said than done, but you can resist the pressure with these tips.

Get Clear With Yourself About Your Boundaries

The easiest way to let peer pressure get to you is by not realizing that it's even happening, and that usually only occurs when you aren't aware of where your own boundaries lie. While it might not be the most comfortable thing to do at first, you'll need to get clear with yourself about what makes you feel uncomfortable. You don't need to think too hard about it—sometimes it's just a gut feeling—but you do need to recognize what your boundaries are so that you can be more consistent about setting them with others.

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Work on Your Confidence

Again, easier said than done, but trust us when we say that confidence really is key to almost everything in life, especially when it comes to avoiding peer pressure. When you're your most confident, you're a lot less likely to let others have power over you and your decisions. Self-doubt is often the first step to letting others affect your life in a negative way rather than a positive one, so remaining confident is your best bet at preventing that from happening.

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Also read about: 4 Easy Ways to Become More Confident

 

Know You'll Never Miss Out on the Things That Are Meant for You

One of the biggest elements that powers peer pressure is FOMO, as this fear of missing out can keep you crossing your own boundaries time and time again. However, it's important to know that—no matter how cheesy it may sound—you'll never miss out on anything that's truly meant for you. So whether it's saying yes to attending a party when you should be studying or going to dinner with friends when you need to be saving money, it's okay to say no with the knowledge that you aren't really missing out on anything that would've been good for you, anyway.

 

Also read about: 5 Signs You Might Actually Be the Toxic Friend

 

Remember That the Right People Won't Push You Past Your Comfort Zone

We aren't trying to say that anyone who has ever used a little bit of peer pressure on their friends is a bad person (after all, many of us are guilty of doing so without even realizing it), but what we are saying is that the people who continuously—and even worse, knowingly—pressure their friends into doing things they don't want to do are not meant to be in your life long-term. The people who are will take accountability for their actions, respect your comfort zone and listen to you when you voice your discomfort.

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If you need a little more help recognizing when peer pressure is happening in the first place, click HERE for our list of signs that your friends aren't respecting your boundaries.