“Everybody’s doing it,” so it must be okay and if you say no, you run the risk of becoming a social outcast.
Peer pressure is when someone convinces you to do something against your better judgment.
It can happen without you realising it. But rising above these challenges is one of the skills that will help make you a successful adult – any loser can say yes…
Resisting peer pressure is difficult. There is the fear of rejection or being made fun of.
Teens all over the world want to be liked and don’t want to lose their friends. Sometimes you feel confused, so you just say “yes”.
Remember, it’s your choice.
How you think about any decision to change can affect your success.Many people who decide to cut back or quit drinking think: “I am not allowed to drink,” as if an external authority were imposing rules on them.
Thoughts like this can breed resentment and make it easier to give in. It’s important to challenge this kind of thinking by telling yourself that you are in charge, that you know how you want your life to be, and that you have decided to make a change.
Similarly, you may worry about how others will react or view you if you make a change. Again, challenge these thoughts by remembering that it’s your life and your choice, and that your decision should be respected.
The AA Estcourt branch hosts meetings every Tuesday at Forderville Primary School from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Desigan on 082 849 3014.
