Avoiding Peer Pressure

blazing hot like cayenne pepper, especially in adolescent years, malleable youths bend and capitulate to peer pressure; grown folks take the bait, too. it could be a simple "try this like the rest of us cool kids!" or just an effortless nudge of "you're missing out!" to descend an impressionable youngster down down down the rabbit hole of insidious seduction. the benefits of peer pressure are there, though few and far between. It's challenging for a lone hold-out to resist the temptation of wading in deep into the muddy waters of coercion when all his "cool kids" buddies have crossed over to the dark side. no matter your relationship with anyone forcing you to try or do anything that goes against your belief system, your moral code, say no if you feel even a tad uncomfortable! refuse to go down the primrose path of uncertainty. don't allow yourself to be handcuffed, or guilt-tripped into walking down the road to regret. It's best to abandon ship, or better yet, don't board if any proposition feels false. Date written: 11/20/2022