Many introverted people like to hang out in small groups, maybe even in a quiet setting. While on the other hand, extroverts can like being with big groups of people in a loud setting. Whether you are an introvert, extrovert, or even an ambivert, you start to become the people you hang out with even if they are different from you.

You start to develop the habits, phrases, and even some thoughts of the people you constantly hang out with. You can unintentionally pick what they do, without thinking twice. Motivational speaker Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.”

These five people, whether it is your friends or family or anyone else, can impact you for the better or the worst:  you can decide. They will always be near you sharing their opinions and thoughts on topics which can be good to hear other sides and even change your own opinion on something. However, you as the person need to learn control over your mind as they can influence you to agree to things you don’t want to agree on, or even do things. Another term for this can be peer pressure.

Peer pressure is one of the main things that turns you into the people you hang out with. According to American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry:“Peers can be positive and supportive. They can help each other develop new skills, or stimulate interest in books, music or extracurricular activities. However, peers can also have a negative influence. They can encourage each other to skip classes, steal, cheat, use drugs or alcohol, share inappropriate material online, or become involved in other risky behaviors. The majority of teens with substance abuse problems began using drugs or alcohol as a result of peer pressure. This pressure can happen in person or on social media.” 

You may not realize that you are getting changed. Even the people who are potentially changing you won’t realize, but others will see the change in tones and personalities. 

The people you choose to surround yourself with will always have an influence on you.