How to Become an Independent Empowered Woman

Becoming an independent empowered woman takes inner strength and outer encouragement.

According to Dr. Michael J. Wheatley, a writer for WebMD, self-esteem is a quality greatly lacking in the young women of America. They are blocked by barriers everyday in their quest to reach their goals. Finances, unempowering people around them, lack of education and more are reasons behind their struggles. These struggles may be dependence on someone else emotionally or financially, less-than-average intelligence or remarkably low self-esteem. The process to becoming an independent empowered woman is challenging, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

Instructions

1. Surround yourself with encouraging friends and family who lift you up in their words and actions. Constant negativity plays a role in a person's mental and emotional health. It can bring a person down to a level of depression from which it can be difficult to free yourself. Choose to be around friends and family who will encourage you to follow your dreams and passions.

2. Become financially independent. The old saying that "money is power" holds true when it comes to relying on someone else to support your human needs financially. Not being able to pay for your own rent and food means that you have to please someone else so that this support is not taken away. This is a kind of control that can lead you to feel trapped. If there is a change you want to make in your life, you may not be able to if the financial support from this other person is a hindrance.

3. Set goals. Everyone in life has something she wishes to achieve or change. This could be finishing school, losing weight or getting a promotion at work. Create a realistic timeline with steps along the way to a large goal that will help you achieve your dreams faster.

4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating right and exercising can increase a person's vitality, encouraging her to be more positive in her daily outlook on life.

5. Make a decision by yourself, even if it is small. You may feel that you are not independent because you constantly need the input from friends and family before making progressive decisions in your own life. These decisions can feel like they are not truly yours. Rather, they are the decisions of people around you. Start making small decisions for yourself by choosing new outfits, meals, home decorations or similar activities without the consultation of friends and family to seek out what it is you truly want from life.

6. Continue seeking education. Learning opens your mind to new ideas, and these ideas may be just what you need to start your own business, start a family, decorate your home or other new activity. Take nighttime college classes at your nearby community college to balance out your work schedule. Read books about subjects of which you do not currently have extensive knowledge. Watch educational programs on television.

7. Plan time alone in your schedule away from your friends, family or boyfriend. Spending time by yourself helps you find time to do the things you truly desire to do without the interruptions or judgments from others. Plan time that is solely for you by writing it into your planner. Plan other events around this personal time.

8. Volunteer. Helping others is one sure way to boost your self-esteem while doing good things for others in need. This will put your role as a woman into perspective, reminding you of all the blessings in your life.

9. Schedule a day off work. Your work life can often seem overwhelming, as though the business is reliant upon your attendance in order to survive. Taking a day off when you have chosen it, rather than when you are simply sick, will help you feel in control of your work life. This could help you regain control of other areas of your life as well.

References

• The Statesman: Empowered Women, Enlightened Men
• 4Therapy: Empowering Women Who Feel Controlled by Their Husbands
• Young Women's Financial Network: Why Young Women?
• Glam: 5 Ways to Become a More Empowered Woman
• WebMD: Change Your Body Image, Not Your Body