Being an "Independent woman" is something highly praised and glorified by our society. I also personally believe that independence is one of the most impressive qualities and it is something I have sought out for years. For many, independence means being able to support yourself without the help of others. Maybe you, pay all of your own bills, or maybe you don't need anyone else's input when making an important decision. However, there are some of us who do like the extra support from our loved ones and consider ourselves interdependent. Interdependence is the idea of two or more people relying on each other for support.
Although I consider myself to be independent in the sense that I live on my own away from home and I am able to take care of myself outside of the influence of my family, I still heavily rely on my friends and family within certain aspects of my life. For example, when deciding what college I wanted to go to I had many conversations with my parents in helping me discover what was right for me. Some may say that you shouldn't let people influence your decisions and that you need to do what is right for you. But if you're having trouble, talking to someone who knows you well can really be a great asset in making your decision.
Another big part of interdependence is reciprocating the support you receive. For instance, when my friends accomplish something I feel like I have succeeded also. This ranges all the way from; getting an A on a midterm you studied so hard for, or getting accepted into a prestigious college. Essentially, interdependence is a two-way street of being a stage 5 clinger (just kidding). Being interdependent can be seen as a negative attribute but it has impacted my life in the greatest way. I am so thankful for all my friends and family who have been by my side to influence my life everyday.
