I'm finding my way...
Independence. It can be something we long for. Something that scares us. A new or ongoing challenge. Whether you've moved out or moved away to work or study, getting your first after school job or even just saving up your money for something you really want or learning to budget then this discussion is for you.
There's lots of ways to be independent and also different reasons for it. For some it's something to work for, for others circumstances might make it a necessity. This independence can give you a sense of control, let you enhance your skills and learn to set goals. But with independence can also come a certain amount of responsibility and that can be tough to get used to. It could also impact upon your sense of self in a positive or negative way or even make you doubt yourself at times.
Join us on Monday 24th June at 8pm AEST when we'll be discussing being independent and the benefits and also difficult things that can come with it.
Hi all! Welcome to tonight’s getting real session on Being Independent
We’ll be discussing what being independent is.
Facilitating tonight’s session will be lightuptheworld, Sophie and I.
As always if anything in tonight’s session upsets you in any way there’s an emergency help tab in the top right hand corner which we urge you to use. Also keep in mind that we want to keep this discussion safe for everyone so try to stick to the community guidelines. Thanks
So to start us off tonight let bring on the first question
Do you consider yourself independent? Why or why not?
I don't find myself independent as I'm still living at home with my parents and are financially dependent on them. However, despite a lot of resistance from my parents, I'm trying to gain some independence re- my health care. I also have to buy things I want.
That's great that you are trying to gain some independence with you're health care and buying things you want. 🙂
What does being independent mean to you?
What are some of the things/circumstances someone might need to have independence?
Independence to me means that you have a certain amount of control and responsibility over your life in terms of living costs, health care, self care, maybe working or living out of home.
I think it's important to remember that everyone is different but some things/ circumstances that might lead to you needing independence include moving out for study/work purposes or due to disagreements etc, gaining employment to pay for your own things, etc.
Ooooh great point Exotic Turtle, getting some independence around your own Medicare card is a GREAT step towards full independence! You can get your own Medicare card at 16!
Also, there is more law stuff about independence available here: http://www.lawstuff.org.au/
For the next question
What was the first thing you did that made you feel independent? How did it make you feel? Could be anything from getting your first paycheck from Maccas, buying your first phone or car, moving out, making a life decision (anything from choosing your electives to work experience, uni degree etc).
What does being independent mean to you?
What are some of the things/circumstances someone might need to have independence?
Doing things on my own, paying for things myself, getting my drivers licence was a big independence for me.
When mum was sick I had to come and help her out, cook dinner, clean the house etc.
...And onto the next question: Have you ever found that you had to become independent before you were ready? E.g: Doing something that you didn’t feel ready to do but you had to do it.
Have you ever found that you had to become independent before you were ready? E.g: Doing something that you didn’t feel ready to do but you had to do it.
Not really on the big scale. I've been pretty lucky and have often had time to get myself organised but I have learnt how expensive living alone is and wish I'd been more organised and saved more/ bought more things in advance. Although I have had lots of little experiences such as having to catch buses and learn which stops I need as I go, etc.
Having to look after mum when she was sick, cooking, cleaning, taking myself to work, study etc It was very tough but it did teach me a lot.
Lightuptheworld wrote:
...And onto the next question: Have you ever found that you had to become independent before you were ready? E.g: Doing something that you didn’t feel ready to do but you had to do it.
I think this can be the case when you first move out of home, things can kind of snowball and get out of control if things go wrong and you don't ask for help because you are "independent"... Like for example, my first share house I ended up with a debt collector after me because I moved out and didn't take my name off the lease... Then when the rent didn't get paid, I was responsible and I let it get out of hand because I ignored it and didn't talk to anyone about it... That was a long time ago now and I learned a lot from that
Mine would be when I got my first job at Hungry Jacks I was so excited I was getting my own money 🙂
What was the first thing you did that made you feel independent? How did it make you feel? Could be anything from getting your first paycheck from Maccas, buying your first phone or car, moving out, making a life decision (anything from choosing your electives to work experience, uni degree etc).
I think it would've been when I got my first paycheck and I could finally have more freedom on what to spend my money on. Although as other's have no doubt found, having money does mean having to be responsible and buy what you need then the extras. 😛 But I found over time that saving some can be so rewarding.
What was the first thing you did that made you feel independent? How did it make you feel?
Travelling on public transprort by myself when I was 15 made me feel independent 🙂
Mum bought the ticket, but I had to work out what time to get to the station, and which platform to get on when boarding a regional train from a metro one.
I remember being little and thinking, 'how on earth do people know which trains to get on... I'm never going to be able to do that!" But by the time I was 17 I could do it with my eyes shut!
What are the positives about being independent - that you have experienced or expect to experience?
It's more convenient, as you're not relying on someone else's assistance to do things. It's also a self-esteem boost when you're able to do something new by yourself that you may not have able to before! A personal one re- health care for me is that I'll be able to get the help I need with different things without my parents interfering and cancelling appointments, etc.
