Warning: semi pitkä artikkeli itsenäisyydestä englanniksi.

”I have always been very independent.” Now, I don’t know about you guys but I hear people saying that a lot. I admit saying it quite a few times as well but sometimes I wonder what it really means. Not relying on other people for money, support or aid? Not being influenced or controlled by other people’s opinions? Not depending or relying on someone else’s existence? I have no trouble admitting I rely and depend on the existence of my family and dear friends. No, I wouldn’t die if they weren’t around but I would be pretty miserable. I guess I would be independent if I then managed on my own but I would be miserable and alone. Yet, so many people relate independece on being alone, being a strong independent human being. I like to have days just to myself but in general, I don’t want to be alone. I could be, but I don’t want to. Does that make me not independent?

Am I influenced or controlled by other people’s opinions? Yes and no. I would like to think that no-one else’s opinions control me. However, I am influenced by them. It would be stupid and selfish for me not to acknowledge that. But then again, if I, let’s say, want a pair of boots that I think are fabulous and my best friend thinks they’re awful, will I buy them? Yes. They are for me, I can afford them and I fricking love them, so why not? (Note to self: because you don’t need them).

Do I rely on other people for money, support or aid? Hell yes. I like to have a support system around me. Not just for me, but for them as well – it has to be a two-way system. There’s nothing worse than a needy person who constantly needs support but never gives it back in return. As I have never not had a support system, I can’t say how I would survive without it. I’m guessing yes, I would survive without it, but that’s what most of us want to tell ourselves. 

When it comes to money, I don’t like to borrow it from anyone so I try not to put myself into a position where I would have to. I have had a job ever since I was 14 (or 15?), I save as much money as I can and I keep track of my spendings. Right now, I study full time, I have a part-time job (need to find another one as well) and try to do freelance work on the side. To some people it might sound a lot of work but it’s my personal choice to keep myself busy. I could work a lot less and still manage but I don’t want to. Saying all this doesn’t mean I haven’t borrowed any money from anyone or lent any money to anyone. It’s funny how I don’t mind lending money or judge people who need to lend it [for serious reasons though and not for goodie shopping (oh wait..this is judging)], but when it’s me who has to borrow the money, I judge myself. (Anyone else do that?)

Anyway…Happy Independence Day Finland!