Hey there, fellow independent souls! I want to take some time to talk about a concept that may resonate with many of you – hyper-independence.

As humans, we are naturally inclined to strive for independence, self-reliance, and taking care of ourselves. However, have you ever taken it to the extreme? This is where hyper-independence comes into play.

What is hyper-independence? It occurs when we take our independence to the extreme, almost becoming obsessed with it. We push ourselves to do everything on our own, to the extent that we may even reject help or support from others. Does this sound familiar? Let’s explore why this may not be a positive mindset after all.

First off, being independent is an excellent quality to have. It means we can make our own decisions, care for ourselves, and not rely on others for our well-being. However, when we become hyper-independent, we start to isolate ourselves from others and reject any form of assistance. This can lead to loneliness and burnout as we carry the weight of everything on our shoulders.

Not only that, but hyper-independence can also hinder our personal growth. When we reject help or support from others, we miss opportunities to learn from different perspectives and experiences. We limit ourselves to only our knowledge and abilities, which may not be enough to reach our full potential.

Furthermore, constantly striving for extreme independence can also result in a fear of vulnerability. When accustomed to self-sufficiency, we may be reluctant to lower our defenses and seek assistance when necessary. This fear of vulnerability can impede our ability to establish profound and meaningful connections with others, hurting our emotional well-being.

Now, this is not to say that being independent is a bad thing. It’s essential to have a healthy level of independence to care for ourselves and know when to ask for help.

One method is to cultivate self-awareness. Take a step back and reflect on your actions and thought patterns.

Are you consistently turning down help or support from others?

Do you feel like you have to handle everything by yourself?

Now, be honest; there is no judgment.

We all have reasons behind our behavior. Once you recognize these patterns, it becomes easier to make an effort to modify them consciously. This takes time. The Eiffel Tower wasn’t built in a day, so give yourself some grace. Taking the time to get to the root cause and deciding to change shows personal growth.

Start small.

Instead of attempting to handle everything yourself, begin by seeking help with a small task. This can help boost your confidence in seeking assistance and overcome the fear of vulnerability.

It is also essential to have a supportive network around you. Surround yourself with people who genuinely care for your well-being. They can offer different perspectives and support you need when you feel overwhelmed or burnt out.

Independence is an excellent quality, but it can negatively affect our emotional well-being and personal growth when taken to the extreme. It’s important to remember that asking for help or support from others is okay.

Let’s work on breaking out of the hyper-independent mindset and learning to strike a healthy balance because we all need some help from our friends.

-🦩