When I was in high school, I believed that peer pressure meant being influenced by friends to have premarital sex and taking drugs. I also thought that peer pressure only happened among teenagers. After being an adult for some time now, I submit to you that I was wrong. I guess I was less wise and incredibly naïve.

Though persons are still influenced to do all of that now, it is quite interesting to see and note what adult-type peer pressure looks like. The top one (from where I sit) is to get married before you are 30 years old. Honourable mentions include:

• Having children before you have more than 10 strands of grey hair.
• Purchasing luxury items that will cause you to be neck-deep in debt
• Partying just to fit in

For most, these would be wonderful achievements. However, I have realized that yielding to this kind of peer pressure costs you lots of money. In an economy where people are struggling to buy toilet paper, I believe that it is best to demonstrate fiscal discipline. Understandably, we would want to belong, but it does not make sense to make these rash decisions that will jeopardize the future. Showing off to please people is not sustainable. It makes us look stupid.

I have also realized that yielding to this kind of peer pressure costs you peace. Doing something you don’t want to do might fill you up with more grief than momentary pleasure. There are many persons who are getting married now because their friends are married too, not out of mutual affection. Some parents resent their kids because they did not want any, or they were not prepared for parenthood. Some people are attempting to “fit in” just to get persons off their backs but end up doing something they regret. Peace should not be taken lightly. I believe that if what we do doesn’t coincide with our core values and honour God, we will be miserable.

A word to the wise. People are going to want to pressure you. They will pressure you. However, you are the one living your life, not them. They are not the ones who will be stuck with the consequences of your own actions. You are.

It is okay to go at your own pace. Never let the world society and so-called friends force you into living a dishonourable life. Therefore, double-check your motives when making decisions. At the end of the day, contentment should be the real aim. I mean, does it make sense if you have it all and you are not satisfied?

^{Photo by Anna Might (IG:@annamighttakepics)}