Take a moment to look at the person you once were in comparison to who you are now. It’s already known that the people one spends their time around affect one’s actions. This includes family, partners, and, arguably, the most important: friends. One can’t pick who their family is, but they do get to determine who they surround themselves with.
In high school, everyone is still trying to figure out who they want to be. It’s easy to get caught up with the wrong group of people. According to Riskology, “People who hang around smokers or drinkers are more likely to smoke and drink themselves. Their values become your values.” Drinking, lying, slacking off, and staying out late are taught, and none are born doing. Unfortunately, one can grow up in an environment where it’s easier to pick up substances because that’s all one has ever seen. It’s important to understand that one can still want the better and overcome the family addiction. It’s simply the Social Proximity Effect, which is when one mirrors the habits of the people they spend the most time with. It’s harder to recognize, but once seen, breaking off ties or making space from friends involved in harmful activities is the best way to go about it.
It’s the people one chooses to hang around that will influence where to set the baseline standard for themselves. Dr. Benjamin Hardy, an organization psychologist and best-selling author, said, “Surrounding yourself with people who have higher standards than you is the fastest way to change. In fact, I believe it’s the only way to truly and permanently change.” In full agreement with Dr. Hardy, why settle for less when there are no boundaries to what one could be? Strive to chase the dream that comes to mind, no matter what it may look like. One shouldn’t let others hold them back from their full potential. This may look like staying in to study for that important test coming up instead of sneaking out past curfew to go get loopy. In some cases, it could just be that a close friend wants to follow a path that just doesn’t line up with your future goals, and it’s okay to want more for yourself.
When moldy fruit is placed next to healthy fruit, the good fruit will go bad faster. Comparing this to people, it’s the same, but luckily, humans get to choose not to go bad, unlike fruit. Although it might not be noticeable at first, the negative, laziness, gossip, and no desire are going to rub off on one in a matter of time if that’s who one surrounds themselves with. Find one friend to hold close and help strive in life together, and from there fill one another’s cups with encouragement, challenges, and inspiration. Both individuals will naturally grow in every way.
Overall, people get to choose who they want to be and the ones they surround themselves with along the way. Pick the right people who will benefit you or others for the better. One’s circle is either pushing them closer to their purpose or starving the potential future. It’s time to look around and choose who you want to be.
