The Power Of Influence: Who’s Really Leading Our Life?

If we’re really honest, we’ve all been influenced, more than we want to admit.

Every single one of us.

It doesn’t happen all at once. It sneaks in.

A suggestion here.

A trend there.

A tiny nudge that makes us question what we thought was true.

Before we know it, we’re living a version of life that doesn’t quite feel like our own.

Because isn’t that how it goes sometimes?

We follow the leader.

We learn.

We implement.

We tweak the rules to fit our vibe.

And sometimes… we end up somewhere we never actually wanted to be.

What Is Influence, Really?

Influence means having an effect on someone’s character, development, or behavior.

Sounds simple enough until you ask: Who’s influencing us? And why are they taking up so much space in our heads?

It’s not just Instagram or high school cliques. (Though some adults are still stuck there.)Influence is everywhere: families, friendships, jobs, relationships, even those quiet expectations we carry around.

We are constantly being shaped.

The real question is: are we paying attention?

When Influence Feels Off

You know that pit in your stomach—when you’re doing something that doesn’t line up with what you believe, but you’re doing it anyway?

By default. By noise. By people who might not have earned the right to shape us.

Because it’s easier. Because everyone else is. And because we don’t want to cause a scene or rock the boat.

But…........

Are we okay being changed at our core just to keep the peace?

Are we willing to live in someone else’s version of our life?

Can we even recognize when we’ve stepped too far from who we really are?

When influence works against us — whether loud or quiet — it chips away at who we are. Sometimes, we don’t notice until we don’t recognize ourselves anymore.

And nowhere is this more obvious than in the online world we live in today. Everywhere we turn, we’re told to hustle harder, level up faster, and chase the next big money move. It’s like there’s this invisible scoreboard we’re all supposed to be climbing, with little room for rest or simplicity.

But what if the real power isn’t in the chase? What if choosing a simpler, quieter life—one that feels aligned and peaceful—is just as brave? There’s nothing wrong with saying “This is enough” instead of “More, more, more.” Sometimes, the bravest choice is to slow down, focus on what truly matters, and live a life that feels right to us, not one shaped by someone else’s hustle.

Saying No Is A Power Move

Saying no is hard.

So is standing your ground, setting boundaries, and calling out what doesn’t sit right.

It’s uncomfortable and sometimes shaky work. People won’t always cheer for it.

But saying no to what’s not aligned?

That’s how we start saying YES to who we really are.

That’s how we come home to ourselves.

Positive Influence Is Real — But Don’t Be Naive

Of course, not all influence is harmful.

Some of it shaped us in beautiful ways… A grandparent who made us feel seen. A parent who showed up every single time. A coach, teacher, or neighbor. But let’s not pretend it’s all been wholesome.

Remember when we were kids, staying up late and glued to the shopping channel? That warm glow pulling us in… convincing us we needed that slicer-dicer, miracle cream, or latest game. That was influence. Some harmless fun—the Flowbee gave us unforgettable haircuts, the dehydrator turned us into snack queens, and a few cluttered cupboards never hurt anyone.

But today? It’s slicker, smarter, and way more invasive.

Our kids are growing up in a world where adults are literally paid to influence them—content creators, influencers, streamers, and celebrities with perfectly curated feeds and million-dollar branding strategies. It’s all so strategic. And kids don’t miss a thing.

Every word we say. Every post they scroll. Every sigh about our looks or worries.

They catch it.

Soak it in.

And start to believe it’s true.

That old saying, “kids are like sponges”? It’s no joke and more real now than ever before.

With social media hooking kids younger than ever, millions are spent shaping how they think, what they value, and how they see themselves. It’s no longer just silly trends or viral dances—it’s about body image, materialism, and comparison loops that start before they even know who they are.

If we’re not paying attention, our kids end up shaped by people we’d never let through the front door.

Who Do You Surround Yourself With?

You’ve probably heard it before: you become like the five people you spend the most time with.

And today, that includes more than just people in the room—it includes the voices you follow online.

We pick up mannerisms, attitudes, habits, even dreams from those closest to us — and from the feeds, stories, and content we consume every day.

The same goes for our kids. They learn from every voice they hear and every example they see, whether in real life or on a screen.

So, who’s shaping your inner circle?

Who’s shaping your kids’ circle?

Questions Worth Asking Yourself

Here are some questions we can ask ourselves:

• Does this person’s voice encourage us or silence us?

  
  

• Do we feel energized or drained after interacting with them?

  
  

• Are we saying “yes” out of fear, guilt, or pressure?

  
  

• Have we ever said “no” to them, and what happened when we did?

  
  

• Is their advice rooted in our growth or their control?

  
  

Remember, we can learn from others and still think for ourselves. We can honor the people who came before us and still break cycles. We can love people deeply and still reject their influence when it’s not for us.

The Story Is Yours To Write

Life is one big swirl of opinions, pressures, and unspoken rules.We’ve all been shaped by people who didn’t always deserve that power.We’re constantly absorbing, adapting, evolving. That’s human. 

But our life?

It’s not a group project. It’s not a TikTok trend.

And it’s not a checklist built by someone else.

We don’t need a consensus to be who we are.

We don’t need approval to trust our gut.

We can pause. Question. Change our minds.

We can look at what’s in our hands and say, “This isn’t mine.”

We can leave the path that never fit.

We can reclaim the pen.

Because in the end, the only one who has to live our lives—are us.

So let’s stop handing the pen to everyone else.

Let’s write it our way.

Clearly. Boldly.

Unfiltered. Unapologetic.

Unmistakably us.