New Contest: Independence: What does it mean to you?

Greetings from me, @destinedhanik to all members of this group, I believe everyone is fine. So today, I'll be contesting on this topic titled independence. Independence means different things when used in different aspects of life. Some countries got its independence after being under another country for years. Most people always desire their independenceafter serving others for a long time. Even children desire independence from their parents at a stage in life. I hope you will learn some lessons from it.

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Independence to me, means the ability to make my decisions without being influenced by anyone or parents.

It is being able to live on my own, have my freedom and cater for myself.

It means being able to handle the challenges I face without running to my family for help.

No, I don't consider myself an independent person. An independent person is someone who doesn't depend on anyone and can make whatever decision without being influenced.

The reason I do not consider myself an independent person is because first of all, to sone extent, I still depend on my parents for some needs especially financial.

• Secondly, there are some decisions I can't take without my parents influencing it, example decision to move to another state or go back to school.

• Also, I haven't been able to really afford some necessities on my own without my parents backing me up so I can say I'm still dependent and not independent.

Still independent

I feel I need to conquer independence on all areas of my life.

• Economical/Financial Independence: I need to be able to establish my own business and run it so as to have money that will help me become independent and not rely on others for money.

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• Physical Independence: I need to be physically independent by being able to live on my own, make my own decisions and take good care of myself.

• Emotional Intelligence: I need to be able to be emotionally independent, I need to be able to love myself and be happy without listening or allowing negative words to influence me. I need to be able to be in control of my emotions whether positive ones like self control or negative ones like anger. I need to be able to feel happy despite the challenges I face.

• Social Independence: I need to be able to keep friends that will bring about healthy relationships. I need to be able to conquer the fear of being alone, to be alone but not lonely, I need to know when and how to cut off people and friends whose influence affects me negatively.

Yes, emotional independence is very possible. Emotional Intelligence has to do with managing your emotions very well, the ability not to get angry and burst out even in the face of provocation. It is the ability to know when to apply sympathy, self control, patience, etc when necessary. My country, Nigeria does not have economic independence at all. Economic independence has to do with having one's own money and being able to cater for one's self. Though my country has the resources that brings in much money, but due to the recklessness and selfishness of the leaders, we are economically dependent. Nigeria borrows from different countries to run the economy despite the money made from exporting fuel. Currently, Nigeria is owing approximately $101.04 billion USD), according to FIJ NG.

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Socially, Nigeria is independent. This is because Nigeria makes social, cultural and moral decisions without being influenced by other countries. Example, the different tribes in Nigeria have their different ways of life and this ways of lives isn't influenced by the international countries. The citizens of Nigeria have a strong voice and belief in expressing themselves.

Yes, I have had to fight for my personal independence at different times, but to some extent I wasn't successful. First of all, after graduation, I wanted to serve in Lagos state, Nigeria, but my parents rejected it and since they were still responsible for my feeding, I had to listen to them and serve close.

Then after my service year, I decided to stay back and look for work in the state I served but I was forced to return back home after my service.

Few years after, I decided to leave home to another state to work, but life wasn't easy and I had to come back. In all these times, I tried to fight for my personal independence. Currently, to some extent, I'm personally independent as I live on my own and I'm responsible for myself but I'm not totally independent as I still accept help from my parents.

All types of independence is important, but I think financial independence is the most important. This is because when one is financially independent, one can have personal and emotional independence.

• As someone who is financially independent, you can afford all your personal needs and in anywhere you want. You won't be lacking.

• As someone who is financially independent, you can apply emotional independence as it's lack of money that makes people angry sometimes and lack empathy. With money, you can cut off from friends who are not true friends as you can br on your own, you can love who you want to love and don't indulge in self pity. So I believe the most important independence is financial independence.

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