Alongside society comes a world of pressures, whether they regard the way people behave or appear, many people feel as though the world we live in presents itself with social norms that we feel the need to abide by.

In this day and age, from the time children reach adolescence, they’re swarmed with the must haves of society that have the full potential to become burdens on their everyday lives. This can easily include anywhere from general visits to the grocery store to talking to friends and family, yet no matter the social scene we still feel as though we have to portray ourselves as happy, worry free people that have little to no hardships.

Junior Luke Besheer said that when in public, he feels obligated to act a certain way, along with having to act as though nothing is wrong at all times.

“I make everything seem better than it actually is,” Beesher said.

However, Besheer said he isn’t the only one who feels this way. Junior Alexis Bonder said she agrees with Besheer.

“I think everybody expects you to be kind and to try to get to know them, or at least make small talk so things aren’t awkward,” Bonder said.

When asked the basic question, “how are you today?” both Bonder and Besheer claim that “I [always] respond with ‘good how about you.’’”

Although it’s often natural to feel tense and uncomfortable around new people, once one is able to warm up and loosen the reins around those who we are unaccustomed to there are much more genuine and personable conversations to be had.

In everyday life, people run into both kinds of conversations depending on whether they feel comfortable with the person or not, like junior Jenna Brewster.

“If I’m talking to someone I don’t know like a store clerk and I’m feeling in the talking mood, I’ll say, ‘I’m not doing too hot,’” Brewster said.

Although Bonder said she, as well as many others, makes her life seem better than it actually is, she said she is on board with being more authentic with individuals she would normally be uncomfortable around.

“I would love to be more genuine with people I come across,” Bonder said. “I would not be in so much of a rush so I can get to know people.”

Through these social changes are presented possibilities of building new and healthier relationships. The possible positive results of being more confident and comfortable in public situations are those of which can help people feel less tense and awkward in their everyday life, creating a new outlook for generations to come.

“The world we live in has endless possibilities to grow and flourish,” Brewster said.