In "Secondhand Insecurity," Allison Ives cautions the public of "toxic people." Modern-day society has played a immense role in inflicting insecurities upon teenagers. Body image, diet and behavior have all been shaped by the media's unrealistic expectations of a young adult. Insecurity has become increasingly prominent over the years, and it is beginning to affect those who were once satisfied in their own skin. Ives states that, "when we're consistently in close proximity to an insecure person, over time, their gray tendrils will choke us as surely as smoke would." Throughout her memoir, Ives uses an extended metaphor by comparing those who lower the self esteem of their peers to a child suffering from secondhand smoke. Ives reminded me to surround myself with positivity and contain the gray clouds insecurity to keep it from spreading into the bright personalities of those who are confident.