In life’s journey, especially during the late teens and early twenties, developing a critical mindset proves crucial. Accepting everything our friends do as normal can lead to the normalization and replication of toxic behaviors.
Peer Influence: A Powerful Force
Often, we might find ourselves laughing off a friend’s inappropriate joke or overlooking their disregard for serious matters. This behavior, while seemingly harmless, can lead to normalization and even replication of toxic behaviors. Remembering that a friend’s actions don’t automatically make it right is essential.
It’s crucial to discern between healthy and toxic behaviors. Developing an independent perspective and not succumbing to peer pressure is a vital part of personal growth.
Self-Reflection: A Must
Self-reflection is a powerful tool for personal development. It involves critically analyzing our thoughts, feelings, and actions, and those of the people around us. By questioning if we agree with a friend’s actions or not, we can identify and address any toxic behaviors.
Being critical of the actions of those around us is important. We must ask ourselves if we agree with their actions or not. Sometimes, it’s necessary to tell someone they’re wrong, even if it means risking the relationship. If they’re doing or thinking things you find inappropriate, reconsidering your association with them might be in order.
Advice: Applicable to All Ages
While this advice is particularly relevant to those in their late teens or early twenties, it applies to all ages. Many older individuals tend to put themselves on auto-pilot and refuse to consider their actions critically. This period is often when we lay the groundwork for our ethics and personality. Recognizing and addressing toxic behaviors early can save us from a lot of relearning in the future.
Kindness Principle: A Guiding Light
Choosing kindness can be a powerful strategy in navigating life’s challenges. When faced with a situation where negativity or toxicity is prevalent, opting for a kinder response can make a significant difference. If everyone in your friend group is talking negatively about someone, choose to be kinder. If you’re in a toxic workplace culture, be kinder to yourself.
The kindness principle isn’t just about being kind to others, but also about being kind to oneself. Recognizing problems and making a plan to address them is a form of self-kindness that can lead to a healthier and happier life.
Losing Friends: A Hidden Value
As we grow older, losing friends, particularly those who exhibit toxic behaviors, can sometimes be a blessing in disguise. As we mature, we begin to understand that the quality of our relationships matters more than the quantity. Letting go of friends who negatively impact our mental and emotional well-being can pave the way for healthier relationships.
It’s important to differentiate between maintaining a youthful spirit and tolerating immaturity that leads to toxicity. Losing such friends can be a step toward personal growth and self-improvement.
Parents: A Role to Reconsider
Our parents often play a significant role in shaping our beliefs and behaviors. However, it’s crucial to remember that they, too, are fallible. As we grow older, we must learn to question their actions and advice and make decisions based on our own understanding and experiences.
This doesn’t mean disregarding their wisdom, but rather developing our own perspective and becoming our own person. This process can be challenging but is a crucial part of becoming an independent adult.
Critical Thinking: A Life Skill
Critical thinking is a vital life skill that goes beyond academic or professional settings. It involves questioning our actions and those of others, and not accepting things at face value.
This skill is particularly important when forming new social circles. It’s easy to fall into the trap of groupthink, where everyone’s actions are deemed acceptable because they’re the norm within that group. However, critical thinking allows us to identify and challenge such behaviors, leading to healthier relationships and a more fulfilling life.
Original Article Source: reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/14t1dt7/lpt_if_you_are_in_your_late_teensearly_20s_dont/
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
