Remaining independent

My late grandmother told me we should always work in all areas of life to remain totally free and independent. Though not highly educated academically, she was well versed in all areas to the best of her ability and never compromised in any area. She indeed was and is my role model in life. This is why though I did not understand what it meant to be completely independent, I then worked on all areas in my life. I learnt that neglecting any one area makes us totally dependent in all areas. Hence, we all need to work on ourselves in all areas to remain truly and completely independent. This may take some time but is worth doing, We must know almost everything is interlinked in life. We are sent to the greatest university of the world which is life itself that indeed makes us strong and independent when we work on ourselves. Here, independence is a great factor in life. This is one of the key subjects we all do need to master else it may lead to too many dependencies on others and external circumstances.

Remaining personally independent involves developing the ability to rely on yourself for your emotional, financial, and practical needs. Here are some key strategies:

1. Financial Independence:

   • Budgeting: Track your income and expenses to ensure you're living within your means.

   • Saving and Investing: Build an emergency fund and invest in assets that grow over time.

   • Income Diversification: Consider multiple streams of income to reduce reliance on a single source.

2. Emotional Independence:

   • Self-Awareness: Understand your emotions and triggers. Practice self-reflection and mindfulness.

   • Healthy Boundaries: Establish and maintain boundaries in relationships to protect your emotional well-being.

   • Self-Support: Cultivate a support system but also develop the ability to comfort and motivate yourself.

3. Practical Independence:

   • Skill Development: Learn essential life skills such as cooking, cleaning, and basic repairs. We need to keep learning more skills  in the journey of our lives. This makes us more confident and reliable.

   • Decision-Making: Practice making decisions on your own, considering all factors and consequences.

4. Intellectual Independence:

   • Critical Thinking: We need toanalyze information and form our own opinions.

   • Lifelong Learning: Continuously educate yourself through reading, courses, and experiences.

5. Health and Wellness:

   • Physical Health: We need to do regular exercise, have a balanced diet, and adequate rest.

   • Mental Health: Prioritize mental well-being through practices like meditation, therapy, or journaling.

6. Social Independence:

   • Community Engagement: While it’s important to be self-reliant, also build a network of friends and acquaintances. Engage in social activities that do not compromise your independence.

   • Assertiveness: Be confident in expressing your needs and desires without being overly reliant on others’ opinions or approval.

7. Personal Values and Goals:

   • Self-Identity: Know who you are and what you stand for. Having a strong sense of self helps you stay true to your values.

   • Goal Setting: Set personal goals and work towards them independently, using setbacks as learning experiences.

Maintaining personal independence is about balancing self-reliance with healthy interdependence, where you can function independently but still value relationships and community.

By Jamuna Rangachari