Independence is something you earn.

Hello, everyone.

I welcome you to my blog. As kids, we all longed for independence, just so we could be free from our parents directing and detecting our every move. Little did we know a lot of sacrifices had to be made before you could finally be free or any form of independence could be given. While growing up, I was one of those kids who could not wait to be an adult. I fantasized about being an adult a lot because of the type of freedom they enjoyed. Adults come back home whenever they like, while as a kid, my parents won't let me step foot outside once it is a few minutes past 6 p.m.

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I so much envied the adults that lived in my neighborhood back then because of the level of freedom they enjoyed, and I was eager to become one. If only I knew the sacrifices attached, I would have wished to stay a kid longer. Independence is earned, especially on this side of the world. At some point in your life, you have to let your parents see that you can actually get certain things done on your own and not wait for them to get them done for you, and that is your gateway to independence

African parents must be convinced that you can actually make decisions on your own, you can as well live or stay on your own before they let you make any move on your own without an escort or them making decisions for you. Age is another way to gain independence, but age only grants you freedom to some point in African homes until they are fully convinced. African parents take the saying "age is just a number seriously" until they are convinced your freedom and level of independence are limited.

For me it is a stage in one's life where they get to make decisions on their own and not wait for anyone to make decisions for them or direct them on how to live their life. It is that point in life where you take control of your life; you choose where you want to be and how you want to live.

Your age does not guarantee your independence in an African home. After I gained admission to the university, that's when I started experiencing some sense of independence since I was fully in charge of my every decision. When I go out and when I go back home, it is completely up to me; no one is there to direct me on how to live my life or what I can and can't do. I choose where I want to be and decide when to leave the house, unlike back home, where I had to seek permission before leaving home.

It was funny how I enjoyed independence in school but whenever I go back home, the independence was taken away. How they treated me and talked to me started changing when I started taking care of certain needs of mine and those of my siblings. I was no longer completely dependent on them like I used to be, and then I started enjoying independence in school and at home.

Thanks for reading my post.

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