Being Independent is Different Than Being Alone

I used to think that to be independent you had to distance yourself from others in order to "find yourself."

Dictionary.com defines 'independent' as "not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself."

And, by definition, the easiest way to be independent, or to not be influenced by anyone, would to not be near anyone, or, alone.

But there's a difference between being independent and being alone.

When you are independent you can do things for yourself. You know that other people respect you for the fact that you know what you are talking about. You walk proud of who you are, and who you represent.

When you are alone, you can still be independent, but there are more differences in what you feel. The way you feel when you walk into a room where you used to know that you would sit next to someone, but now you don't. Alone is when even in a room full of friends you don't know what any of them did yesterday.

So, for the New Year, be independent, but not alone. No one wants to feel alone.

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