Time: < 30 Minutes
STEP 1: Look at your life and see who you are spending most of your time with. Are you trying to keep up with everyone? Are you spending too much time at work, in front of the TV, or on social media?. It is said that YOU are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. When you think of this, are you proud? Do you feel safe and supported? Do you feel like your tribe creates a place for growth and development? These are all important qualities to think about when engaging with others around you. So, recognize and be honest with yourself about how those around you are positively or negatively influencing your behavior.
STEP 2: Determine who (or what kind of people) you want to be spending time with to feel peaceful about your situation and life. If you are constantly trying to “keep up” with others, or pretend that you are something you are not, that is not peaceful – it is competition. There is no way to feel relaxed at peace with those around you, or your personal situation when you are continuously trying to fit in, and keep up.
STEP 3: If you don’t have many people in your network that have your same interests and values, actively seek out opportunities to meet people like you. Attend a local church, go to a nearby dog park (don’t have a dog yet? Foster one!), try out the new gym or yoga studio, go to a local farmers market, etc. Be around the types of people who allow you to be yourself and accept you for who you are.
STEP 4: Although you want others to accept you for who you are, you also want to surround yourself with people who will motivate you to be a better, more well-rounded individual. Rise to the occasion. It will benefit your life in many ways. You will find comfort within yourself and your personal situation, and you will feel totally confident when with others.
