Usually, when we think of an independent person, we picture someone who can take care of himself.
Self-reliance, however, is just a tiny component.
Being independent requires both autonomous thought and independent action.
These elements that go hand in hand with autonomy will undoubtedly resonate with you if you are a very autonomous person.
1. Your confidence grows along with your self-sufficiency
The very first steps a newborn takes are hesitant ones.
With grownups and freedom, it’s not all that different.
It might be unnerving to take our first first independent steps out into the world.
But as you gain experience, your self-esteem and confidence also increase.
You get a little bit more confident with each audacious action you do.
In Michelle Obama’s own words:
“Your self-assurance and perseverance will decide your achievement.”
We often assume that confidence is something we either possess or lack.
But in reality, we learn it just like everything else. You may increase your confidence with practice.
A major confidence booster is acquiring the ability to rely on oneself and feel at ease in one’s own skin.
Because of this, it develops as you become more independent.
2. You sometimes find yourself saying no to help, even when you’d quite like it
Let me grab that for you, someone generously said as I struggled with my baggage at the station.
I kindly said, “Oh no, that’s alright thanks, I got it,” before I even had a chance to think.
I’ve always been really self-reliant. To do it, you must grow accustomed to working alone.
It was also true. I could definitely transport my own luggage. But a smaller burden would have been wonderful.
This illustration, in my opinion, depicts one of the dangers that extremely autonomous individuals may encounter. You run the danger of entering the realm of hyper-independence.
Sometimes being able to take care of oneself means turning down assistance.
You don’t have to or should do anything just because you are capable of doing it all on your own.
One beautiful benefit of living in a neighborhood where everyone is linked to one another is being able to get help from others.
I do make an effort to remind myself that asking for assistance is a positive thing and in no way indicates weakness.
Additionally, it doesn’t imply that I’m “putting someone else out,” which is something else that extremely independent individuals could worry about.
Whether we are independent or not, we can all appreciate a helpful hand.
3. You make up your own mind
Deep-rooted independence
It extends well beyond going on alone holidays or putting together your own emergency furnishings.
It’s a mental condition. And it affects the way you think generally.
When you are very independent, you are not influenced by what other people believe.
It’s simpler to remain impartial and form your own opinion.
It’s a big deal!
It aids in developing your ability to think critically and analyze information rather than accepting it at face value.
Trust yourself, as American educator Marva Collins says. Think independently. Put yourself first. Be your own advocate. Be genuine. Copying is suicide,”
When independence is a talent you’ve acquired, you’re less inclined to follow the pack without thinking.
You also won’t follow others only to appease them.
Because of this, autonomous individuals are far more likely to serve as leaders than sheep.
4. You can be perceived as being difficult or awkward at times
And hey, maybe you are at times.
However, other times it’s more a case of society not always being used to those who defy the norm.
Because you have an independent mind, you could think or feel differently from other individuals. And you don’t hesitate to express that.
Depending on your autonomous decisions, you could decline an offer that another person would have expected you to accept.
The problem is this
Not everyone is going to appreciate that.
High levels of independence may bring you respect, but they won’t necessarily make you popular.
Oftentimes, independent individuals are far better at dressing for themselves.
That’s unquestionably a good thing. However, some individuals may mistake independence for egotism.
Someone else may consider it disrespectful of you to say no. However, in reality, you are respecting yourself enough to prioritize your needs.
Or, you have sensible bounds.
5. You’re clear about your boundaries
Being independent has several advantages, one of which is the likelihood that you are not a pushover. Thus, you have a far lower chance of being mistreated and put to use by others.
Being really autonomous implies you have a solid understanding of what suits you and what doesn’t.
You are aware of your moral principles, what you demand of others, your warning signs, and your code of behavior.
You don’t feel unduly dependent on anybody, in contrast to needy individuals. And that alone makes it simpler to expel them when they blatantly cross the line.
When pressed, you don’t hesitate to maintain your composure.
You don’t feel responsible for other grownups since you understand that it is their responsibility.
Due to your fear of being alone, you are less inclined to stay in a terrible relationship.
The connections you have are really more likely to be of higher quality if you are independent.
This brings up the following point.
6. Your independence improves your relationships
There is a little misconception concerning independence. It could remind you of a lone wolf that always makes do on their own.
Many individuals believe that being very independent might make you feel more alone and harm your relationships.
However, that is untrue.
In reality, partnerships benefit much from independence.
Your relationships may be fueled by want rather than need. And that relieves pressure.
Nobody feels overburdened by you. They don’t feel compelled to look after you.
Independence may help keep the desire alive in love relationships.
This is so that desire may truly have some agency. Otherwise, we risk feeling constrained.
Desire requires some separation, as explained by Ether Perell:
“We desire closeness to save ourselves from feeling alone, yet eroticism requires distance, which means moving away from our partner’s comfort and becoming more alone…
For us to be interested and motivated in a relationship, we must be able to endure our separateness and the underlying uneasiness it creates.
Relationships may be strengthened through independence as opposed to being torn apart.
7. You’re happy in your own company
Independent people aren’t always more introverted than outgoing people.
However, being independent often entails being excellent company for yourself.
That’s because individuals with high levels of independence are used to meeting their own demands, both material and emotional.
Highly independent individuals have more room for self-reflection when they can cherish their own company.
This provides you some time to reflect on your own thoughts, emotions, and experiences. After that, you might include everything to develop your own viewpoint.
This makes alone time similar to a feedback loop that keeps a person’s independence growing.
While company and togetherness are valuable, the reality is that you alone are capable of determining your level of happiness.
Having the freedom to investigate this may improve your sense of responsibility and self-awareness.
8. You don’t expect life to be handed to you on a silver platter
That much is certain: you don’t need someone else to fulfill your aspirations.
You are aware that it is up to you to go out and get whatever it is that you want in life.
Instead of being intimidated by it, you accept it for the powerful perspective that it is.
You feel in charge of and in control of your own life.
Despite the fact that you may not have any control over your life’s events, you are better at flowing with the flow.
You can thus handle both the ups and the downs.
When we acknowledge that no one will be able to rescue us, we may begin the challenging (but enjoyable and satisfying) process of bettering our own lives.
When someone becomes too dependent on others to intervene and solve problems, entitlement may result.
But when it comes to solving their own issues, independent individuals are the first to get dirty.
9. You’re better at taking risks
We already discussed how independence may boost your self-confidence and self-esteem.
So, as a direct consequence of it, you also have more courage when it comes to taking chances.
Many individuals intentionally try to avoid taking risks because they lack the necessary level of readiness.
Risk-taking has a terrifying side, but it also creates more opportunity and creativity.
According to a risk-taking research, taking chances and feeling satisfied with oneself go hand in hand.
The truth is that until you try, you won’t know.
Additionally, autonomous individuals have developed instruments that increase their propensity to do new things.
Qualities such as:
- Flexibility
- Problem-solving
- Self-belief
- Resilience