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As
free as a bird Being independent has evidently taken a new role in our personal lives. Each individual, in his or her own right, has felt moments of independence or even have a goal they aim to achieve. Something that would define the moment it’s achieved as independence. Personal independence differs from person to person. We asked a few of our readers about what independence meant for them and this is what they said: For Manoj (20) being independent is, “having the ability to make my own decision. I can listen to advice but there is no compulsion to act on them,” he adds. Many agree with this thought, as they all point out that when you have the freedom to decide what’s right for yourself, there is a sense of independence that comes with it. Shehara (20) also adds that when her parents trust her enough to let her do whatever she wants that is what being independent is about. “For example it’s like them letting me go for drama practices or a party without a fuss,” she says adding that giving her the chance to make the choices she wants in life is what it’s about. “When there is nobody looking over your shoulder in whatever you do, that is what being independent is about,” says Ruvini (19). For her it’s the fact that she can do what she wants in life and her parents allow her to do it, and even make her own mistakes and learn from it. While agreeing that being able to do your own thing is what being independent is about Shahili (16) adds that the amount of freedom she gets now is not really much. She adds with a laugh that maybe if she had better deadlines she would think it was an indication of independence. She also points out that asking for independence can also backfire on you. “Sometimes there are things that you don’t like to do but have to because you asked your parents to let you be more independent,” she adds with a laugh. For Ruvin (22) it’s about being self-sufficient. “It’s good not to be dependent on your parents or anyone for that matter,” he says adding that once this aspect comes in, it would feel like he has total independence. Fulfilling your goals and dreams is another aspect of independence and this is how Lanka (23) put it, “Going forth and fulfilling your aspirations without any inhibitions,” he said. Adding that it is also that, “I have the right to go forth and realise my aspirations.” Doris* (22) had this to say, “Independence to me is two fold... one is on an individualistic level, which is all about the choices available to me to make as an individual, the other thing to me is independence as a group of people.” Umanga* (21) said, “It means a lot to me and financial independence is important as the base for everything. What comes next is social independence from my family and friends. The best way to deal with the real world is to go out there and face it and that is what it is to be independent. It is also to deal with what life throws at you. All this is what independence is to me.” Just simply a sense of freedom is what others look for when they think about personal independence, “You being free and you having all the time in the world to do anything you want and just being free!” said Dilukshan (21). He also said, “I don’t have all this because I do have boundaries.” “Freedom to live my life as I choose and make my decisions the way I want, without external influences,” said Shalen* (21) That is what independence is to him. 16-year-old Anya very simply said independence to her is, “to be able to think and do things by myself!” Listening to all these opinions and personal views it was clear that most youth of today just want a sense of freedom and trust from their elders that the freedom or independence they are given will be used carefully without overstepping their boundaries. So with our country’s independence close by may be you can ponder on the thought of actually, ‘what independence is to you?’ (*Names have been changed) |
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