And just so we're clear, no, I do not mean a nation's independence. I mean personal independence.
A decade ago, I thought, hey, being an adult would be the coolest thing ever. I would get to drive, go to places, discover new things, and learn a load of stuff. What they don't tell you, and what they kinda forget to show you on those popular TV series, is how frickin difficult it is to be a responsible adult. Most shows will just portray adults who seem to have unlimited or at least very easy access to funds and other resources. They don't show the reality that making ends meet, supporting your dreams, and still finding a way to live is an incredible feat that requires incredible skill. They also don't show what it means to be a responsible adult. The kind of of shows I see just mostly portray adults as people who can get away with doing what they want. There is no such thing as being responsible for your actions and decisions on TV.
But whatever. I'm just saying that being an independent adult is not all it's cracked up to be. I mean, yeah, it's nice to finally not have a curfew or to have to answer to your parents for everything, but really, when I'm sick and I still have to do everything, I begin to really miss my mom. I miss the regular temperature taking sessions. I miss the food she would prepare just for me (I become really picky about food when I'm sick 0_o). I miss the regular text messages/phone calls to check up on me and remind me to take my meds. I know I don't need reminding, and I really don't need her to do that for me because I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, I'm just saying that even the most fiercely independent people like to be cared for once in a while. Looking forward to my mom's cooking and baking is also something I really really miss... Crawling into bed with her when I'm having bad day (I don't care if I'm too old to do that. Hahaha.)...
Being a kid once in a while? Yeah. I miss that.
I have to agree with most of what you're saying. It's true there's this huge emphasis at times to be independent but I don't think anyone really knows what that truly means. What exactly defines independence for may not be how someone else views it. In others words some have an extreme view of independence. So how much do you have to reach to get there? It's impossible realistically speaking considering there is no such thing as true independence. Everyone at many points in their lives relies on someone. Just as I see that no one is truly dependent unless that is you're physically/mentally handicapped in some way. It's really just a spectrum. You can't define someone by that when you haven't really known what they've been through or are currently going through either.
ReplyDeleteHi.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the input. I would have to agree that although there may be a definition of the word "independent", people tend to look at this differently, depending on their experience and their world view.
"You can't define someone by that when you haven't really known what they've been through or are currently going through either." --> I agree. And you really can't impose your definition on anyone else, because we all have our own versions of reality that we deal with.