You Can Do It

In a world where everyone is busy trying to make their way to success, you find that people need to become more self-reliant. While we look to our close friends and family for support, we must develop independence. It allows us some control over the direction of our lives. 

Having the freedom to make your own decisions and dictate the course of your life can be a heady experience. It allows you to curate the map of your life. 

The challenge today is how most people rely so much on external factors to be happy. Being happy has become associated with materialism, fancy cars, and big homes. 

With social media pressure, many people conform to a certain standard of life to be socially acceptable. We trade our identities and values to suit people's perceptions of what we ought to be. Conformation is why we have so many people working themselves to the bone, trying to attain prestigious titles in the corporate world while still feeling that empty void within themselves.

Our level of dependence has us blaming those who hurt us in the past for our lack of progress. We keep looking to others to save us from the rut that our lives have become, never fully realizing that no one can save us except ourselves. Everyone else is too busy with their race. Even your closest circle may not always carry your burdens for you when we learn to draw strength from within ourselves that we find the power to climb out of the pit and back onto the path of fulfillment.

Self-reliance is the key to happiness.

There is potential for you to be great. No one can unlock it for you except yourself. It takes guts to step out of the comfort of family and friends to find your wings. When you learn to be autonomous, you discover who you are and what you want out of your life. It ceases to be about what other people expect you to become. It becomes about finding your purpose and building on your vision.

You cannot deny how good it feels to accomplish great things under the steam of your strength. Not only does discovering what you are capable of give you confidence, but it also keeps you motivated to discover more hidden skills. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, you develop the confidence to put your skills to the test. That is the story of every successful person. They created enough confidence to go into unchartered territories and made names for themselves. It is also possible for that story to become yours.

Think back to the decisions you have made over the years. How many of them were influenced by other people? If you are, to be honest, some choices you made were not the best for you. If you had a significant decision that would propel you into success, would you not jump at it without second-guessing it? That is what self-reliance rewards you with- the ability to make choices that are right for you without concerning yourself with people's opinions about it. 

While it is good to seek guidance on significant decisions, let no one else hold the power to steer your life in the wrong direction. All your choices should center on what you want to avoid having any regrets. The beauty of independent thinking is that you get to make the right decision with no one forcing their opinions on you. With self-reliance, you can listen to advice from others, but ultimately, you know it is your decision, and only you must live with the consequences.

Depending on yourself gives you control over your life. It allows you to go out and make mistakes, learning and growing from them. It is the surest way to develop compassion for yourself and others when you know that you have tried your best despite unfavorable outcomes. 

How to stop being too dependent on other people:

Discover yourself.

Individuality is essential in all your associations. Never allow yourself to be absorbed into another person's life so much that you lose sight of who you are and what you want. 

Be more assertive.

It is essential to have a voice. Have a say in the decisions that impact your life. Become more confident in yourself. Know your worth so that people do not walk all over you. People will respect your opinions and value your contribution if you are assertive.

Take up responsibility for your life.

Nothing makes you more self-reliant than being responsible for your own decisions and happiness. Accept that the power to change your life lies in your hands and no one else's. Be responsible for doing specific tasks for yourself. You can start cleaning up after yourself and organizing your office space. 

You can only achieve true happiness in life when you are in control of your thoughts, choices, and behaviors. While you may lean on others from time to time for support and help, you should not depend on them for your happiness or survival. And only when you can stand on your own two feet in this way can you feel self-reliant and genuinely content.

Until next time, be resilient!