Some of us crave independence, some of us fear it, but most of us lay somewhere in the middle; enjoying the perks of independence while also enjoying the safety of clinging to others. 

While it’s a blessing to have friends and family to support us, it’s important for our mental health to embrace independence as often as possible, and here’s why:

• It Will Increase Your Self Confidence
  When you live independently, you learn how to accomplish things for yourself. Even if it’s something as simple as setting up your own appointments or making your own meals, the realization that you can take care of yourself in these ways helps you to believe in yourself, and feel secure in your own competence. 
   
• It Will Reduce Your Stress
  When we depend on others for our wellbeing, we stress about whether or not they’ll actually be there for us when we need them. When we are self-sufficient, this huge stressor melts away.
   
• You Will Be Happier With The Decisions You Make
  Making decisions is hard for many of us, especially when   the decision could majorly effect the outcome of things one way or the other. Often, it’s easier to listen to the opinions of our friends and family and do what they think we should do instead of consulting our inner instinct. But when we do that, we are letting others dictate the course of our life. When we rely on ourselves to make decisions, we end up feeling happier with the shape our life is taking. This isn’t to say we shouldn’t ever listen to advice—we absolutely should! But we should always make final decisions based on what feels right, and not based on what somebody else wants for us. Independent decision making leads us to live happier, more satisfying lives. 
   
• Your Horizons Will Be Broader
  There is a vast world of possibilities, opportunities, people, and places to explore. While it’s important for quality of life to have close companions, it can become a problem if we let them prevent us from venturing out into the world. It’s easy to feel guilty, for example, to move away from your family to experience life in another city, but rest assured knowing that if somebody really cares about you, they will not want you to hold yourself back for their sake.

These are four ways your quality of life will be enhanced by embracing independence. Remember that independence doesn’t mean that you are alone, it means that you are your own person, a self-sufficient human being who doesn’t need others as a crutch to survive.