How to be an independent person?

Being independent goes beyond the freedom of being able to do what you want and having enough money to pay your own expenses. Well, it also implies emotional maturity and personal growth. Let’s see how to develop them.

Many people think that being an independent person means having enough money to not depend on anyone.. Others indicate that independence is acquired by being able to choose what to do without asking others for permission. Both definitions are correct but they can also be combined into something that better fits what “being independent” really means.

Earning a lot of money (or enough to survive) is sometimes something related to necessity and not so much to will. Besides, autonomy should go beyond the balance we have in our bank account or the cash in our purse. If you can pay your expenses, congratulations! But that is not the only thing you need to be clearly an independent person.

Actually, autonomy is more related to the ability to control your life: knowing where to go, not waiting for others to tell you what to do, etc. Independence also has to do with your abilities to solve things, your aspirations and objectives, your abilities to do your tasks by yourself without requiring the help of others, the way you look at the future, etc.

“Being an independent person is something for a small minority, it is the privilege of the strong”

-Nietzsche-

If you are reaching a certain stage in your life where you don’t know whether or not you are independent or you would like to detach yourself a little from those around you, it is a good time to pay attention to the fundamental aspects that define an autonomous person.

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To become an adult with enough autonomy to do what you want and not depend on anything or anyone, it would be good to:

1. Take more care of yourself

Both physically, mentally and emotionally. If you don’t respect yourself, it is impossible for you to enjoy a full life. Therefore, if your mind and body are not in a good state, you will be more likely to get sick, be in a bad mood and, above all, depend on those around you.

2. Be disciplined

This is really important because order and being strict with ourselves helps us take charge of situations. You don’t have to get carried away by emotions. You have such willpower that allows you to get out of any situation successfully.

3. Trust yourself

This is a fundamental step to be independent. Yeah you believe in your skills, abilities and virtuesit will be easier for you to continue walking along the path towards the realization of your dreams and desires.

4. Feel the “taste” of life

People who depend on others to be happy do not know the benefits of living. The decisions they make always have to do with others, not with themselves. Although being independent does not mean being selfish, perhaps it is necessary Pay more attention to your own feelings and find “the spice of life” in every situation.

5. Try to find the “half glass full”

One of the characteristics that all independent people should have is optimism. Clear, knowing that life is good even if things seem to go wrongbut also being able to rejoice in the small daily details.

In short, the sum of millions of grains of sand is what builds a beach. The same thing happens to us with what happens to us and what we have. Be more grateful for what you have and don’t waste time or energy on what you don’t have (or complaining about it)

6. Accept that life is not always the way you want

Another fundamental characteristic of independent people is their ability to accept that things will not always turn out as they have planned. This It turns them into individuals with a high tolerance for frustration and little dependence on immediate results.

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Therefore, they are able to focus on long-term results, learn from adverse situations and recognize which situations are beyond their control and which are not.

7. Don’t be naive

Dependent people tend to assume everything they are told as true., without questioning the veracity of the arguments presented by others. On the other hand, independent subjects prefer to corroborate information through their own means and are able to investigate various sources to obtain a better perspective of the matter.

8. Learn to do household chores

To be more independent, it is also important to know the basics of living alone. This involves cooking, washing, cleaning, managing finances, etc. If you are not able to do these things, you will always depend on a third party to do them for you.

9. Know yourself

Self-knowledge is a fundamental aspect to be able to relate to others without developing dependencies.. To the extent that we know how to recognize our own emotions, what we want in life, what we don’t like, etc., we will be less likely to seek the approval of others and look to others for answers that only concern us.

Being an independent person means that although others can give their opinion and help you in certain activities, you are the captain of a ship called “your own life.” No one will give you words of encouragement if you don’t. Find the self-motivation that is most effective for you.

Remember that to achieve the independence you so desire, you must believe in yourself.May it be better for you, may you grow and find what you need. Nobody will do anything for you because, as Jorge Bucay says “Existence does not admit representatives.”