Peer pressure refers to many ways friends or associates have a direct or indirect influence on someone's attitudes, behaviors and functionalities over time. The pressure can have a positive impact while it can also be in the other way round.
Having friends is good, but I believe in having small circles of better friends that can be of good impact to one's life. I love keeping people of great value that can be of great help in any situation of my life, likewise I also want myself to be valuable to my friends as well.
Years ago while I was an undergraduate I had just two close female friends, whom I loved so dearly (they are still my best friends till date). After our first year in school, the school gave us a 3 month holiday after the second semester exams.
Everyone was glad and we all departed to our various homes in excitement that we would use the holiday to rest and calm our nerves for the stress we had passed through during the course of work for the 100level.
I used my 3 month semester break to rest, eat and watch different K - dramas, I was so fresh that anyone that came across me would know that I've been home doing absolutely nothing.
I knew my friends Moms were into business, so I knew both of them would have been helping them out at their various stalls. But one day while I was gisting with one of them on phone, I was surprised when she told me that she had started learning hair making at a salon close to her Mom's stall, though she knew how to weave hair right from her childhood she thought to make it professional so that she will be able to support herself in school and once she graduate, she can have a side hustle.
The image is mine
She said she started with braiding then hair crocheting, she said her braiding hasn't been perfect but she had started making crochet very well and she promised to help me with my hair once we resumed for 200 level.
At that very moment, I felt pressured, in my mind I was like, I didn't achieve anything with my holidays (just eating, sleeping and watching movies), I was angry in my spirit. What will I say to my friends when we resume because I didn't achieve anything and nothing came to my mind to do during the 3 months holiday at all.
I wasted that holiday and that of 200 level semester holiday as well. At that time, my friend had become perfect in hair & wig making and making cool cash from fellow students, she also helped me to make nice styles too.
I was pressurized to do something, then I decided to go for tailoring while in 300level. I was eager to know how to sew so that I will help myself, friends and family to sew nice outfits. My parents were skeptical at first, but when they saw the eagerness, they had to let me do my wish and in the end it turned out good for me.
Since 2016 I've never had a reason to sew from anyone, I single handedly bought my sewing machine after my NYSC youth service in 2018 and since then, I've been sewing for my friends and family.
The image is mine
Before I'm back from my place of work (because I work far away from home), they would have piled up clothes for me to sew for them. I'm presently back home for mid term break, it has been hectic for me because till late last night, I've been on my sewing machine sewing for my Mom and my sisters.
I keep smiling at how the whole thing went in my favour but it was all thanks to my friend who was my influencer. Her good pressure brought in something unique to my life and I'm loving it.