I am independent; I am strong; and I am on my way to being free.
Independence is not a choice made based on circumstances; it is a f*cking awesome personality trait.
Independence is a trait that, regardless of who or what may enter your life, will allow you to remain true to your values and achieve all of your dreams.
Discovering your independence is one of the most liberating feelings to experience.
It is the realization that success is the result of the pursuit of your goals and no one can achieve success for you. If you have a dream, you need to go for it.
The only “downfall” of independence are the misconceptions that come along with it.
Some of the people you meet have predisposed ideas or opinions that seem completely ridiculous to us independent people.
Some of the most common bullsh*t questions and statements include:
“You must be really good with your money.”
Oh yes, I’m extremely good with my money. In fact, I’m so good, I make it disappear without even having to try.
Some call it magic, but I call it the beautiful ruins of independence.
“Do you miss your family?”
Okay, let’s just clear something up: Being independent doesn’t mean I’m heartless. Yes, I do miss my family.
It’s not like I woke up one day, gave my parents the finger and walked out of the house forever.
I’m an independent person, not an assh*le. I left home because I learn better on my own. I always have, and I always will. That’s me, and I can’t change who I am to meet the conventional standards of family.
“Why are you so quiet?”
My mouth is quiet, but my brain is not. Part of being independent is observation. The only way to figure out the right life path to take is to stop walking, look around and listen.
I spend a good amount of time observing those around me and analyzing my own thoughts and actions. Independent souls are free souls who learn by action more than by guidance.
“Why are you so stubborn?”
I’m not stubborn; I just know what I want. What many people fail to understand is independence means being independent from others' ideas and opinions.
Independent souls create their own paths rather than following the ones their parents made. They create lives for themselves completely from scratch.
I may not know what that path is all of the time, but I trust my intuition.
“You should stop working so hard.”
For most of us free beings, working is actually fun. When we’re not working or not doing something educationally or fundamentally beneficial, it’s really not worthwhile to us.
Watch TV all day? Sure! I would love to watch the news so I can do some research on trending topics. Do you want to watch CNN, BBC or NBC?
Quit my job? Alright, but first I have to check the "help wanted" ads in the paper. I think I saw something about a freelance opportunity the other day.
Life is short, and I am going to spend my time growing and learning.
“Do you have a plan for your life?”
Dude, I don’t even know what I’m going to have for dinner tonight. My plan is to stick to my values and learn my lessons.
I’m not worried about having a written plan for graduate school, a career or a marriage. Whatever happens will happen. Life’s a journey, and I’m just enjoying it by my own means.
I cannot and will not live by others’ expectations. If I feel like going to a graduate school, I will. If I feel like buying a one-way ticket to Europe, I will.
If I wake up one morning and decide to move to a sh*tty apartment in New York City to pursue my dreams, you bet your ass I will.
I do what I want because I believe in myself.
I am in a lifelong commitment with the pursuit of happiness, and I refuse to let anyone or anything derail me from this commitment.
I am 20; I am young; I am free to be me.
