Honestly, I can’t really relate to peer pressure because I have never been pressured in my life. Sometimes I even ask myself if I’m a normal person because nothing seems to pressure me at all. In this world where everyone is always trying to show off or compete, I just find peace in doing my own thing.
Just yesterday morning before I saw this prompt, I was thinking about it. I was online, scrolling through my friends’ status, and I saw some of them posting pictures of their new shops. I viewed the posts, congratulated them, and moved on. I didn’t feel bad or start thinking about why I don’t have my own shop yet. I just felt happy for them. That’s one thing I really love about myself, I don’t get moved by what people have.
Even back in school, we had some “big girls” in our class, those that always wore trendy clothes, fixed expensive wigs, and carried fine bags. But I never wanted to be like them. I didn’t even make them my close friends. I preferred to move with people who lived within their level, people like me. My friends and I wore what we had, not what was trending. We didn’t try to show off. We just dressed neatly and focused on our studies.
I always tell myself that I know where I’m coming from. If I can’t afford something now, I don’t stress myself about it. I just believe that my own time will come. I am someone that believe and always tell myself that God will make everything beautiful at the right time. That mindset helps me not to feel pressured at all.
If I say I’ve never felt pressured by what my friends wear or have, some people may think I’m lying, but that’s the truth. I’ve always been content with what I have. I may not have much, but I also don’t beg. I don’t wear the latest fashion, but I also don’t wear rags. I just wear what I can afford and move on.
There’s even one incident that made me understand how important contentment is. Back in school, there was this “big girl” I knew through one of my friends. She looked like she had it all her clothes, her bags, everything about her showed “class.” One day, to my surprise, she came to my DM to borrow money. I was shocked. I was wondering why she thought I had money when she looked richer than me. That was when I realized that if you are contented and don’t show stress, people will think you have everything.
I also remember our sign-out day in school. That same girl was almost depressed because she didn’t have enough money to meet up with her expensive plans her outfit, makeup, and hair. She was borrowing money here and there, just to look good for one day. Meanwhile, I was calm. I had already decided I would wear the jeans I had, make a simple hairstyle, and buy one new shirt for the day. The only extra thing I bought was one cheap pair of shoes I ordered from China myself. And that day, I looked nice and was happy. I didn’t owe anybody, and I didn’t stress myself.
When I look back at it now, I just thank God that I’ve learned to be content. I may not have everything I want, but I’m not in a hurry. I’m walking at my own pace, and I believe my time will come. I don’t compare myself to anyone, and I don’t try to fake my life just to fit in.
So whenever people talk about peer pressure, I just smile. Maybe one day I’ll face a situation that will truly test me, but for now, I’m proud of how I handle things. I don’t feel pressured, I don’t compete, and I’m always at peace knowing that everything will happen when it’s meant to happen.
I am inviting 
