Does social pressure affect you?

Do you feel pressured by what you’re "supposed to do"? Do these phrases sound familiar? “I have to lose weight,” “I need a better car,” “Time is running out for me…”

Often, we try to meet societal expectations—what the world "out there" dictates as the standard for doing things right or wrong. For example: if I’m not married with kids by 35… watch out, something must be wrong with me. If I don’t have a luxury car and a big house by 45… I haven’t achieved success. If I can’t boast about my amazing vacation plans…

Who sets all these standards we’re supposed to follow?

On one hand, there’s the constant media bombardment from social networks, celebrities, Instagram influencers, etc., and on the other, the judgments of others.

Media Bombardment:

• Celebrities and influencers: Most of them live off their image, dedicating a lot of time to maintaining it. They are people like you and me—they’re not perfect, and they don’t feel perfect either. In fact, they often face even greater pressure to project a flawless image, which can make them feel more insecure.

• “I must be successful” is another major pressure we face today. But who or what defines success? Money, houses, cars, power, job titles… really? What does success mean to you?

Judgments from Others:

For example, when a friend—who’s supposed to be a friend—married with two kids, tells you: “Keep going like that, man, from one fling to another. By the time you realize it, you’ll be 40 and all alone.” Your friend can say whatever nonsense they want, but the real problem arises when you give their words power and start believing them.

1. First of all, if you have friends like that, set boundaries with a phrase like: “Thanks for your opinion, but I make the decisions in my life.”

2. Second, truly decide for yourself. If what others say affects you so much, maybe it’s because deep down, you don’t want to keep bouncing from one relationship to another and would prefer to have a family. Or maybe not. Perhaps you’d like a partner but don’t want kids. All these possibilities are valid and wonderful—but which one do you want for yourself?

In summary:

Social pressure feels like pressure because it stirs up emotions in you, making you feel uncomfortable about something you don’t have or haven’t achieved yet.

I encourage you to reflect on what truly matters to you and stop giving power to comments, photos, and the lives of others. Focus more on your own life. If you truly want to achieve something, make sure it’s realistic, create a plan, and put 100% of your energy into it. Achieving it depends on many factors, but most of all, it depends on you.

Image by Freepik

Melinda Sánchez Coach

www.melindasanchezcoach.com