People must stay alert and selective about their environment; they can't go with the flow on everything. Because the surrounding values, habits, and customs can influence you unconsciously, gradually leading you astray. If you find yourself in an environment or with people that don't suit you, the sooner you detach, the easier it is to maintain independence; the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to break free. When a person no longer has their own judgment and ability to refuse, and is completely led by the environment, it actually means losing oneself—like "living" but without true vitality.