As babies, we depended upon our parents for every little thing. Out of our control, we couldn't function on our own as people. We were fed food from a spoon and told to swallow.
As toddlers, we began to learn to walk on our own. Those first steps, first scoops of food, and first poops were monumental in our parents' eyes.
As children, we began to learn on our own. We listened to not only our parents, but the people around us teaching us valuable life lessons.
As teenagers, we felt the angsty rebellion of being able to make some choices on our own, but still relying on our parents for food and shelter and money.
As adults, we began to get jobs. We learned that not only is it important to do this from everything we've learned, but how important it is to create your own life.
Deciding not to depend on others for everything was without a doubt at first nerve-racking. I mean, you grow up with your parents basically wiping your butt, then suddenly you're supposed to be paying your own bills?
It's not an easy thought to digest at the time. But, there's part of you once you become older and mature a little bit more that wants to create something for yourself.
There's a time where you consciously make the choice to look up that homework assignment on Google versus asking your parents. There's a time where you go to the store and get an item yourself versus telling your older sibling to do it. There's a time where you start to notice the beauty of the world around you versus being told to appreciate your life.
This is why the importance of independence in life as you grow older is immensely substantial on your priority list as a person. If you're constantly looking at what others tell you to look at, how will you grow to your own full potential for your life here on earth?
The minute you decide to think for yourself, to do things for yourself, to even formulate your own inventions or art -- is the minute you begin to create who you are as a person. For some people it takes longer than others, and that's completely fine. It's a choice to make a conscious effort in situations and stop and think: What do I specifically think about this?
It's not about what your friends, your parents, or even your siblings believe all the time. Sure, sharing common opinions with your significant other or friends/family creates a mutual bond. However, once you develop your own opinions you'll never fake agree with someone just to agree. This creates a life of your own versus a life in the shadow of your peers.
Being independent isn't a lonely life— you have friends, family, and significant others. It's just ensuring that you won't become another robot to society's opinions. We were all made to be ourselves, not a clone of society's production.
