I believe that the only person you can rely on is yourself. This is not a cynical statement about relationships; it is the truth. No one can make you do things you don’t want to do. No one can make you utter words you don’t believe. No one can force you to believe anything. You decide you beliefs, actions, words, and your life choices. This is being an independent person. If you haven’t yet, then you should find a way to harness the strength and courage to be your own person. Here are 10 things you can do to be an independent individual.
Photo Credit: ::cyndi::
Two things that determine the way you face the world and the challenges you encounter are self-knowledge and confidence. You will become an independent person if you know who you are, what you want to be, and what you want to achieve. If you know all these, nothing and no one (except the natural course of things) can sway you.
Photo Credit: ~*~...nicole...~*~
Your principles determine your value as a human being. You should have a clear set of principles that will guide you in times of confusion and uncertainty. These principles should lead you to personal and professional success rather than failure.
Photo Credit: Katelyn Vonfeldt
As much as you want to be non-materialistic, you have to admit that makes the world go round. For most people, their lifestyles call for some sort of financial support. You need money to obtain the basic human necessities. Having your own source of income will allow you to stop relying on other people for the things you need to survive.
Photo Credit: Joop Hoek
You can’t have a source of income and not open a savings account and an emergency fund. You need to put away some money so that you will be prepared in case you ever lose your source of income. You cannot be fully independent if you have to always rely on other people when the going gets tough.
Photo Credit: courtney jade
Even though you want to be independent, you still need to have people in your life. You want to keep the healthy relationships in your life and dump the negative ones. It is a reality that unhealthy relationships feed off your energy and will drag you down. You need relationships that allow you to have a successful and happy life.
Photo Credit: cwt_ucla
You will be able to keep your home and car in good condition if you know basic repair skills. You don’t need to call someone every time something breaks down. Instead, you can do the minor repairs yourself. However, you should also know when you absolutely need to call a professional.
Photo Credit: bitchplz
Many people come to rely on other people or professional services to perform simple and otherwise inexpensive chores. You should learn how to clean and organize your house, do your own laundry, tend your lawn or plants, do the dishes, and other household chores. Even men are not exempt from learning all these.
Photo Credit: dhoruhandi
You should know when to accept or question the things you are told. You should not be afraid to ask probing questions. This is a habit that is often discouraged by our society. But do not buy into people’s disapproval. Ask questions when you think you need to know and understand more.
Photo Credit: Ewart Tearle
Don’t forget to develop your own hobbies and interests. You will not need to rely on other people to enjoy your free time. You can have fun, create, be productive, and connect with other people with similar hobbies and interest. Your hobbies and interests can be sources of your happiness.
Photo Credit: Malu Green!
Independence, whether in your personal and professional life, is all about being able to do your own thing (with reason and appropriateness, of course). It takes a lot of self-confidence and inner courage to not be afraid of what other people might think of you.
Personal independence is not about cutting yourself off from your family and friends. It is about being able to be your own person in this crowded world. Personal independence is about having your own life, your own thoughts and beliefs, and your own personality apart from your group identity. When you have personal independence, you know who you are when no one is there to observe you. You are in touch with the inner being who knows about love, truth, balance, and happiness. In the long run, becoming more independent will make you and the people around you happier.
Top Photo Credit: Samsmiles