"As a child I wasn’t self-sufficient, or independent. Self-sufficiency and being independent wasn’t a part of my upbringing, let alone part of me, or my life. Fast-forward and being self-sufficient is what I have become With no emotional support, I have had to make myself self-sufficient.
Self-sufficiency promotes self-awareness, without having to seeking approval from others. It is part of a lifestyle we can all buy into and achieve. Being self-sufficient helps us to live comfortably, and determines how we shall cope.
self-sufficiency means dealing with stress and pressures better. Self-sufficiency helps with a positive attitude, a positive attitude means we will make better choices, for example, like who we choose to have in our lives."
My circumstances led me to be self-sufficient and looking back I'm pleased. I have a sibling either side who got all the attention and I was left to my own devices, so became self-sufficient at an early age, while still at primary school.
I have carried this independence throughout my life, which has not aways been a positive thing. I have had to learn not to judge people who are not as independent or self sufficient, and I understand sometimes circumstances make that difficult for people.
Reading your blogs I think you were always self-sufficient, but weren't allowed to develop or think like that, as it suited others that way. I whole heartedly agree with you that we are happier for it.
Our circumstances will always dictate who we are and who we become, but we consciously work to change that. Our circumstances also show us and teach us many lessons.
As you say you've learned being too self-sufficient meant you expected others to be like you. It also taught you about other people and that's a good thing. Being too independent is never a good thing. We have to be able to adapt to fit in with others.
I agree with you though about my own circumstances. It's irritating this was my life, I continued to struggle for many years, but post-diagnosis, I also know what I have achieved. I couldn't be happier with that.