When I was about six or seven years old, I watched countless amounts of films and television shows. (I even watched so many that I'm a Film & Television major currently at the University!) No matter how different the genres were, many of the movies I watched dealt with high school or collegiate experiences involving everyday relatable situations. While I examined these films, I watched many of the main characters suddenly exhibit traits of consistent independence following a major event or milestone in the character's lives. After watching these types of films, I believed this type of groundbreaking moment would eventually happen to me one day in the future. I thought I could merely sit back, relax, and wait to suddenly be overcome with a feeling of pure independence and an on-my-own type feeling, but boy was I wrong.

In high school, I always thought of myself as a highly independent person. I owned my own car and paid for my gas every now and then, cooked dinner occasionally, held a summer job, and had responsibilities concerning school and housework throughout my young adult years at home. However, once I arrived at college, my definition of independence changed drastically. I thought of myself as independent before, but after completing two years at a University across the country from my hometown, I decided I was not even close to obtaining full independence before I arrived at college. Instead of occasionally cooking dinner, I found myself responsible for every single meal for the day. Instead of keeping a seasonal job or occasionally paying for my own gas, I found myself searching for part-time work in order to pay for all of my gas.

I do think that films portray an unrealistic depiction of how independence is gained, but becoming fully independent isn't an organized structure that everyone has to follow. Some people find themselves reaching their peak of independence at fifteen years old, while others find themselves fully independent at age thirty. Because there is no specific way of becoming independent, nor is there an epiphany that every person is meant to experience, independence can be accompanied by a wide array of emotions. While some think it's terrifying having to become responsible for oneself and one's actions, others think it's sort of enlightening to take responsibility for oneself.

When I arrived at college, I was terrified of being all on my own. However, while I was on my own, I received the push I desperately needed in order to live my life independently and successfully. I became happier and more self-fulfilled in my daily life routine. I was content in my abilities and felt confident in my successes due to my newfound independence. This recent independence gave me the confidence to succeed not only in my school work but in my personal life. After my first year of college, my independence allowed me to rent my first apartment, obtain a job, and adopt two puppies that have changed my life forever. Independence is necessary in order to achieve true happiness and blissfulness, however, the journey to obtain it differs among many. Have you reached ultimate independence yet? Were you scared or given more confidence? If you haven't felt utter independence yet, how do you think you will react to the hardships of responsibility?