You have to understand that you are a voice, not an echo. Moreover, not everyone can handle the truth that you have to say. Some people just want you to agree to what they have to say. As a matter of fact, some people do not even want to hear your own opinion in the real sense of it, they simply want to hear their own opinion coming out from your own mouth. Always agreeing with others may look harmless at first glance, it may even look like a peaceful and a wise approach to life. This is because it creates the false impression that it avoids conflict, keeps conversation going, and can also make you look polite and easygoing. But within it lies a very big cost, including the cost of losing your confidence, your growth, and your identity.
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If you are the person who constantly agrees with what others say, it will not be long and you will lose your voice. By that, you are putting your thoughts, perception, and ideas at the back seat, while you put another person's own to drive the conversation. Over time, you may even begin to doubt what you believe in, or may not even know where you stand. Imagine being in a discussion where you do not agree with what is being said, but you cannot disagree with them, rather you just sit and nod your head continuously. This is not peace in the real sense, it is just a form of betraying yourself.
One of the costs of always agreeing with everything is loss of authenticity. Some people may even like you for being "too easy" or even "too nice," yet they will not really know who you are. Real connections are not necessarily built on harmony, but they they are rather built on honesty. If you are always agreeing, you are indirectly showing a very filtered version of yourself. This can even lead to loneliness, because you will feel like you are only accepted for who you pretend to be, not for who you really are.
Another cost of constant agreeing is missed growth. There is a level of growth that you will get from healthy disagreement. When you disagree with someone's opinion, or challenge their idea, it can actually make you to learn new things, and can also make the other person to also learn from you, and by that, growth is achieved from both sides. But if you are always an "oh yes" person, you will deny yourself of the opportunity to sharpen your thinking. You may also miss the opportunity to contribute something meaningful. You will be surprised to know this, but your perspective and your opinion which you have been having reservations about, might just be what the situations needs.
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More so, it is also worthy to note that agreeing always with someone can negatively affect your self-respect. Everytime you ignore your true opinion just because you want to please someone else, you are just subtly telling yourself that your voice does not matter. Over time, you may even begin to lose your confidence. You may start to doubt your ability to think independently without being in someone's shadows. This can also lead to the fear of expressing yourself in the long run.
It is worthy to note that always agreeing all the time does not make you kind, rather it makes you appear invisible. You will not earn true respect by constantly agreeing to everything that is said, but by delivering honesty with wisdom and respect. Even if they will not always like what you say and your opinions, but they will learn to value your sincerity.
That you are not to constantly agree with everything does not mean that you should become argumentative, nor does it mean that you should disagree for the sake of it, but you should learn to balance things up. Learn to speak when it matters, and also communicate your thoughts respectfully. Hear what people have to say, and welcome their opinion even if you do not agree with it. Listen to people, but try not to lose yourself in the process. Also know that disagreement should not lead to conflict. Rather it should bring more understanding when handled well.
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