Happy Independence Day! For my international readers, Independence Day is annually celebrated on July 4th in the United States. It’s the anniversary of our country’s Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776. The early colonists in America felt they were being treated unfairly by the English, so they bravely took up arms and fought for their liberty and independence. On this day, patriotic displays and family events are organized throughout the United States.
This holiday always gets me thinking about what is means to be independent. Are you an independent person? By that I mean, are you free of unfair treatment by people who have power over you? It could be a spouse, a friend, a boss, co-workers, or possibly your kids.
If you’re not as independent as you’d like and deserve to be, it’s never too late to work on this issue. The key is to take small steps. What can you do now to gain the respect of those who don’t treat you as you would like? You can start by taking a stand and asserting your needs. For example, instead of agreeing, just for the sake of keeping peace, you might want to respectfully disagree and offer your point of view.
I understand that this isn’t easy, but your self-esteem will thank you for it! Important questions to ask yourself include: Don’t I deserve respect from others? What’s the worst that can happen if I take a stand?
Perhaps the consequences are great. You might need to end a relationship or leave a job. Would this be such a bad thing? Only you can answer this question. Would it be best to confront the painful situation now, or suffer from long term unhappiness? Every situation is different, but it’s helpful to review the pros and cons.
It’s important to note that you don’t have to face this situation alone. You may feel alone, but there isn’t a lack of help out there. Usually, the problem with our high sensitivity is with our reluctance to seek support when we need it. Doing the difficult or brave thing is always easier when you have supportive friends or family standing with you.
Are you brave enough to claim your independence? I’m interested in any thoughts or comments that you have.
Join my community, and get my free e-book and twice per month newsletters, 17 Powerful Tips To Help You Thrive As A Highly Sensitive Person. I have an archive of my previous newsletters. Some topics include: Are you a magnet for toxic people?… Do you give up too easily?… Would you rather be perfect or productive?… and much more!