So yeah, it is a matter of choice, but it is also a matter of peer and societal pressure, I suppose.
Probably. So if we are influenced so heavily by our conditions, we should make sure we are with people who help us grow, not hold us back. We know that a CEO surrounded by Yes-men will fail soon enough - why would we want the same for ourselves in our personal lives - the life where we say we want to improve the quality?
Yes, being surrounded by the right people, especially in key-moments in life, is important, maybe even crucial.