Learn how to be a strong, independent woman so you have the freedom to stay in your power, make better choices and forge your own path to happiness.
Being a strong, independent woman is attractive because it gives a woman the freedom to make better choices and enter a healthy, authentic, inter-dependent relationship on her own terms.
As a woman who’s experienced her fair share of challenges in life, one of the life lessons that I have learned is that a woman should be completely independent of her man.
I don’t mean that you should be a “strong independent woman who don’t need no man” and who never lets a man do anything for you. Being an independent woman in a relationship is very much possible today.
To me, being a strong, independent woman means being able to take care of my own needs in a healthy, self-sufficient and confident manner, with or without a man. But what does being independent really mean to you?
Learning how to be an independent woman will boost your self-worth and self-esteem. It will also give you the courage and confidence to leave an unfulfilling or abusive relationship should you need to do that.
Another benefit of being an independent woman is that healthy, secure men are attracted to strong, independent women. It is usually insecure men that are attracted to women who are clingy and dependent.
If you’re reading this article, that’s most likely not the sort of man you want to attract. Many women today feel that being an independent woman, life becomes smooth as time passes.
How To Be A Strong Independent Woman
In this article, you’ll learn how to be a strong, independent woman and what are the six forms of independence every woman should cultivate.
1. Physical Independence
Are you the kind of woman who enjoys getting attention for her health ailments or loves having someone take care of her physically? I have met some women like that.
These are codependent women who fake illness or manifest an illness to get taken care of by their family. If you enjoy that kind of thing, remember that as a burden to others, you will make yourself vulnerable to abuse or abandonment.
Unless you suffer from a serious illness, disability or require elderly care, doing the basic things like buying groceries, managing your bank accounts, and paying bills are tasks you should be able to do for yourself, even if you live with someone else.
So, tell yourself, “I am a strong independent woman,” and learn to take responsibility for your own health and well-being.
2. Sexual Independence
Learning to pleasure oneself can be very empowering for a woman. Men do it all the time, so there’s no reason why women can’t. If you can meet your own sexual needs in a healthy manner, you’ll never have to settle for one-night stands or relationships that are demeaning.
Because of conditioning by family and society, many women are not even comfortable with exploring their own bodies. False beliefs about sex and our own bodies can lead to sexual incompatibility and unhappiness in the marriage.
On the SHEROES app for women, you can access a free online counselling chat helpline where you can get advice on sexual health, relationships and more.
For the sake of your marriage and relationships, you must learn to get comfortable with your own body. If you know how to pleasure yourself, you can help your partner pleasure you better, too.
3. Financial Independence
Many women still expect a man to be the provider and a source of security. A man who has a home and car is seen as a better match than one who doesn’t. But like women, men want to be loved for themselves too, not just for what they can give us.
If you depend on a man and his family financially, you’ll always be at his mercy, willing to tolerate abuse or disrespectful behaviour. Relationships built on a foundation of need are very likely to fail or be unhappy for one or both people.
No woman should be financially dependent on a man to the extent that she is willing to tolerate disrespect or abuse. Even if you’re taking care of kids and the home, you can still become a financially independent woman by finding work from home for women.
At the very least, you should be educated or capable of using your skills and talents to stand on your own two feet, should your partner become abusive or leave the relationship. Financial independence will give you the courage to leave an abusive relationship if you need to.
As a financially independent woman, whether you’re married or not, the knowledge that you can fend for yourself will enhance your self-worth, self-esteem and self-confidence. That’s why every woman should try to be as financially independent as possible.
If you happen to be in an abusive relationship right now, this financial rebuilding guide for domestic violence survivors will help you learn how to keep your financial documents safe, how to inventory your assets and debts, and show you ways to start setting aside some money of your own.
4. Emotional Independence
Emotional independence is the ability to deal with your emotional issues and problems on your own, or with the help of a professional counsellor.
Emotionally needy and clingy behaviour is more likely to attract potential abusers or predatory men, and drive away a good man looking for a strong, independent woman.
If you’re having trouble learning how to manage your emotional needs, I recommend reading my book, Devi2Diva. When you become an emotionally independent woman, you will be less likely to attract insecure or manipulative men.
5. Spiritual Independence
An emotionally healthy and secure man wants to be with an independent-thinking woman, not one who agrees to everything he says.
Being an independent thinker means having the courage to stand by your beliefs, speak your mind, and follow the path that feels right for you. It also makes you less vulnerable to a man who is controlling and tries to dictate what you should think, read or believe in.
6. Social Independence
Social independence is the ability to cultivate your own social circle independent of your partner. According to Harsh Shrivastava:
I couldn’t agree more! Of course, becoming a strong and independent woman takes work, some life experience, and the courage and intuition to make the best choices for yourself.
You may come across people who will try to convince you that strong, independent women are unhappy. But, I’ve learned that happiness is a conscious choice, not an outcome of being dependent or independent.
As a happily single, independent woman, I know that all it takes to be happy is making a conscious decision to be happy, no matter what, and cultivating empowering beliefs that support my decision.
Learning how to be a strong, independent woman has given me the respect of my friends and family, the freedom to make better choices and to enter a healthy, inter-dependent relationship on my own terms, should I choose to do that.
I am an independent woman, and am happy and proud to be one! I wish the same for you, too.
About the author:
Priya Florence Shah is the Group Editor at SHEROES and author of Devi2Diva, an emotional self-care book for women.
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