“Tradition - Peer pressure from dead people”

I was listening to a podcast recently, and I laughed out loud. The guest said something that hit me like a lightning bolt:

“Tradition is peer pressure… from DEAD people.”

Boom. Mic drop.

I laughed because, well… it’s true. Think about it—so much of how we “should” live our lives is dictated by people who aren’t even around anymore. And somehow, we still nod along like obedient little zombies.

Which made me ask: why? Why do we keep following these tired, well-trodden paths when, let’s be honest, they rarely lead to actual happiness?

Maybe it’s the comfort of the familiar. Maybe stepping outside the pre-made box is terrifying. Maybe we’re all just way more delicate than we pretend to be.

Don’t get me wrong—I do think society needs structure. We need some kind of container to hold us. But not all tradition is empty peer pressure. Some practices give us rhythm, identity, and a sense of belonging. They connect us to something bigger than ourselves — whether that’s family, culture, or shared memory. Rituals can ground us in meaning at times when life feels chaotic.

The key is discernment. Instead of discarding tradition altogether or clinging to it uncritically, we can ask: does this serve me, my community, or my growth? If the answer is yes, it’s worth keeping alive. If not, maybe it’s time to let it go or reshape it.

But here’s the kicker: can’t we write the rules ourselves?

We spend so much time worrying about what others think—family, friends, colleagues, society at large… the list goes on.

How often do our conversations go like this:

• “I’d love to do X, but Y wouldn’t like it.”

• “Can I really do X? I’ve always seen it done like Y.”

We compare ourselves. We over-analyze past experiences. We blame the system, the economy, our parents… anyone but ourselves.

Newsflash: this is your ONE life.

So, how do we start living authentically?

It starts with asking the right questions:

• What’s really mine?

• What belongs to someone else?

It’s subtle. It’s gradual. But it works.

Start small. Walk past your usual coffee shop and ask yourself:
“Do I really want this today… or should I try something else?”

Tune in to your body. Notice what feels right. Build your awareness, day by day.

Because the more you tune in, the more you realise: living your own life? It’s way better than living someone else’s script.