How to Overcome the Pressure of Trends as a Young Adult

And why your peace is worth more than popularity

The Exhaustion of Always “Keeping Up”

Being a young adult today can feel like running a race you never signed up for. Whether it is Instagram, TikTok, or just walking into a room full of people your age, it can seem like everyone is doing better than you. They are traveling, wearing name-brand clothes, glowing like skincare influencers, and signing job offers while you are just trying to afford your next meal or study in peace.

I have been there, and I almost lost myself to the pressure.

My Breaking Point: The Pressure Almost Broke Me

I remember one specific moment. I was unemployed, sitting alone in my room, scrolling through endless posts of people my age who seemed to “have it all.” Designer shoes. Fancy dinners. Constant soft life vibes. Meanwhile, I was still asking for data money, still sleeping on a mattress that had seen better days, and still eating two-minute noodles, because that is what my budget allowed. And that pressure? It started creeping into my thoughts.

I began wondering:

• “Should I date someone just for money?”
• “What if I got into something illegal just once to get by?”
• “Why not smuggle this or move with that crowd? Everyone else is doing it.”

I felt like life was passing me by, and I had to choose between struggling honestly or winning through shortcuts. I did not choose the shortcuts. I chose me. Even though it was hard, and I would cry on some days. Peace and purpose are worth more than anything trending.

How This Pressure Affects Your Mental Health

Here is what I’ve learned about chasing trends and comparing lives:

1. It rewires your self-worth.

You start tying your value to what you have instead of who you are.

• It makes slow growth feel like failure.

You forget that real success takes time; not everything meaningful is instant.

• It feeds anxiety and depression.

Constant comparison creates urgency and unworthiness; it steals your peace.

So, how do you cope?

Here are the things that helped me protect my mind and focus on real emotional and mental health:

1. Limit Your Social Media Time

Unfollow pages or mute stories that constantly make you feel “less than.”

Your peace is greater than their feed.

2. Move Your Body When You Feel Overwhelmed

I started walking, stretching, or doing quick workouts in my room.

It helped me release stress and feel strong, even when my situation didn’t change.

3. Journal or Reflect

Writing out how I felt saved me more times than I can count.

It helps you process your thoughts and reminds you that comparison is a thief.

4. Talk to Someone Who Gets It

Even one honest conversation with a friend or mentor can ground you.

You’re not the only one who feels behind.

5. Remind Yourself Why You’re Building Slowly

Every time I wanted to give up, I reminded myself:

“Quick money can disappear quickly, but peace, character, and purpose? That lasts.”

You’re Not Behind. You’re Building.

Trends will always change. The pressure will always return in waves. But here’s the truth:

You are not behind nor broken, but you are becoming. You chose to rise above, even when it was hard. You are healing. You are staying real in a world full of fake flexes. And that is not just strength; it is uniqueness. Let them trend. You will thrive slowly, surely, and in your own time.