Independence has become rare and hard to come by in a modern world so reliant on its connections with other people. For women, relationship status and the size of our social circle have become standards against which we measure our success. We have built ourselves a cushion of friends, family, and followers to act as a buffer between us and the scary possibility of being alone.

Independence does not mean being alone alone. It has nothing to do with shedding our bonds with others or detaching ourselves from the world. Instead, it means being just as comfortable facing life alone as with others—without qualms. With independence, you do not shy away from decisions, you do not turn down an opportunity due to its distance from home, and you do not mind the prospect of starting over. It is a sense of confidence that truly comes from within, and cannot be drawn from anything other than the self.

While our modern society relies on connections with people, it also is a highly competitive environment. In order to succeed and navigate this world, a woman must be secure in herself and willing to pursue her dreams even if they take her out of what is familiar. It is important to have independence to climb career ladders, or to remain independent in relationships so you aren’t left lost when they end.

For women, it can be particularly hard to embrace independence. It means defying gender molds and pushing against male-enforced boundaries. For instance, for a woman accepting a job offer cross-country, people may wonder if she can be away from family for that long. Or if she decides to move out and rent her own apartment, people may point out how unsafe it is to be alone. Or if she decides to race against her colleagues and get that promotion, people may think she is aggressive.

Women, it’s time we claim our independence and strive for it as a sign of confidence, success, and assertiveness. Not lonely, aggressive, or dangerous.

Independence is beauty. It is strength. It is necessary. And it is totally, 100 percent badass.

Now, as our country celebrates it’s own Independence Day, don’t forget to celebrate your own.