Peer Pressure

Being alive is hard. Every day brings new challenges, new realizations, new experiences, and maybe even new people. The trick to getting by is knowing when to stick to the old and when to bring in the new. As teenagers, it's hard for us to deal with what is most commonly known as "peer pressure". The pressure to NOT be different, or to at least be different within boundaries. The question that raises itself is: If we all suffer from and hate peer pressure, then where is the pressure coming from?! Why do we make fun of people we actually admire for doing their own thing? Why can't we just stand up and say, "My name is *insert your name here* and I am S-I-C-K of peer pressure!" 

I don't know what peer pressure's secret of success is. Why are we so afraid of a bunch of PEOPLE? Why are we so afraid of getting laughed at or mocked? Why are we so afraid of getting embarrassed? We either deal with these fears by conforming or by hiding our true opinions, which is wrong! If you feel like saying or doing something--but there are limits, you know, like it's not being wrong or hurtful--then just say or do it! And if people make fun of you, treasure it. Treasure that moment when you got mocked because it's proof that you're different, you stand out, and most of all, you're not afraid to say what you think. Some people will laugh at you because that's what the crowd is doing, but you can be sure that almost every single person laughing is dying to be you; to be fearless and not to be held by strings that the "crowd" weaves.

I know, I know, it's easier said than done. Trust me, I know all about being self-conscious and afraid of getting embarrassed. I know exactly  how is feels like to worry that people are going to laugh at you. I know the meaning of low self-esteem. I know all that and I live all that. But why should I have to? Why should I make life hard for myself? I won't! Let's all stop caring what other people think and just do it OUR way, because, really, the only place following the crowd will get you is somewhere where everyone else has already been (I read something like that in a quote somewhere). So let's just be ourselves. Tell me what you think, and share your own stories in the comments.

PS. If you're a teenage blogger, leave your blog URL in the comments and I'll check it out!