Quote
"True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what's right." - Brigham Young
Intro
Independence can be a daunting or compelling subject. But the quicker you instill it in yourself, the less scary it’ll become. Independence is a character trait that is undoubtedly highly important for adulthood, which means it’s even more important for teenagers to grasp onto independence early.
Definition
Definition: the fact or state of being independent; Free from outside control; not depending on another's authority.
Example
Your friend Gustav is begging you to take a certain class with his. But you only have space for one more class, and you certainly need a study hall because all your other classes are honors or AP classes that’ll pile up with homework. You also aren’t interested that class. Instead of falling into his trap, you explain to her your situation and tell him it can’t work out. That’s independence and doing what’s right for you.
Benefits
A clear benefit of independent is decision-making. If your brain has the idea that you will do whatever is beneficial for you, you’re bound to make choices that are contingent on that. Another benefit is stress-reduction and positive intuition. If you’re making choices that will make you look cool but you know inside it isn’t right for you, you’ll stress yourself over the worst. But doing what’s best for you can lead you to making great choices.
Change
Think of an aspect of your life where you believe you only do things to satisfy other people or fit in. Reflect on how it makes you feel. Do you feel unhappy? Trapped? Or perhaps uncomfortable? Think of how changing would benefit and free you. Make mental notes and take small steps and slowly do what you believe is valuable for you. Practice in moderation, but just remember that it’s just stepping one foot in front of the other and repeating.
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