Why Independence is Both Freeing and Terrifying

One day, you'll realize that no one is coming to make decisions for you anymore. No one is coming to make sure you woke up on time, finished your homework, or ate dinner. No one is going to keep you healthy by making you go to the gym, eat that fruit, or read that chapter. Your life slowly becomes all yours. And all you can do is figure yourself out.

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The FREEING side of independence:

It's like you get this breath of fresh air or a weight off your shoulders. You realize that you can choose your own routine, design your own space, manage your plans on your time, and make decisions without needing permission from someone else. You get to be who you've always wanted to be, without any outside noise. Being alone gives you reasons to figure out self-discipline, trust your own decisions, and guide yourself by being your own motivator.

Yes, you can finally do what you want, when you want, eat what you want, buy what you want, and not worry about what anyone says, but that's where self-discipline comes in. You need to understand that since your life is finally yours, you still need to take care of it and set yourself up for success, and take care of your body to stay healthy and energized.

The TERRIFYING side of independence:

You develop a new weight of responsibilities, decisions, loneliness, and self-doubt. Things start to happen that you didn't have to worry about during your childhood. Some of these are paying bills, receiving taxes, and spending your full-time job money on groceries. (Something that was your parents' job :D) Not only do you take on these new responsibilities, but you also have to figure them out on your own.

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You definitely experience a mix of emotions, such as feeling proud but overwhelmed, excited but homesick, free but anxious, and independent but craving comfort. However, once you get the hang of it, it becomes a type of safe place. All of this allows you to grow mentally and emotionally. You figure out what triggers you, what your strong suits are, and realize how far you've come. So overall, just know you are right where you're meant to be. God has a path for you. Jeremiah 29:11