Justephanie Lee

Women have become a lot more self-reliant lately. That’s because we don’t need a knight in shining armor to come along and protect us from the big bad world. We just go into the world and manage to take a really good care of ourselves. Again, because WE CAN.

And this new-attained independence gives us a sense of pride, fulfillment and joy. No longer waiting for Prince Charming to wake us up from the longest sleep (the metaphorical kind too), we take matters into our own hands. And we’re good at it.

Here are 12 habits of happy independent women who know how to run themselves. And perhaps the world too (and not just because Beyoncé says so).

1. She loves to travel alone

Traveling by herself feels like it’s everything she ever wanted.

2. She doesn’t roll with the crowd

Because crowds are boring sometimes. She’s interested in having clever conversations with individuals.

3. She’s confident enough to walk away from a bad relationship (or situation)

If something becomes toxic, she won’t put up with it.

4. She invests her energy in the things that matter to her

That is her passions and career, but also her close friends and family.

5. She’s not looking for a boyfriend, but for an equal partner

But more like, not looking for anyone in particular.

6. She has high standards because she knows her worth

A woman with a high self-esteem will not lower her expectations. So make sure you meet her requirements!

7. She doesn’t have time to deal with nonsense

This one’s obvious: she’s too busy with her goals and plans.

8. She stands by her own convictions

And they’re pretty strong too.

9. She doesn’t look for attention

Craving for some guy’s attention is the last thing she would do. She knows that she doesn’t need an ego boost based on how someone else sees her. The spotlight’s on her anyway.

10. She knows how to please herself

Well, any independent woman should be masterful at the art of pleasing herself. Just because it feels so damn good.

11. She pays her own bills

That’s because she can take of herself financially.

12. She knows exactly who she is and what she wants

A happy independent woman knows where she’s going in life and will always keep it real. Please share this with all your female friends!

You may have gone through a series of failed relationship and don’t know where to start rebuilding yourself. But you have indeed come to the conclusion that only when you work on yourself and achieve stability, will you be able to have a relationship that lasts.

The truth is you no longer see the point in giving your time and energy to people who are below your standards. You’re done with flings and want to connect with someone on a deep level and with whom you can evolve into a solid relationship. That takes work: realizing what you truly want from a potential partner and knowing exactly what you don’t need in your life.

At the end of the day, the wait is well worth it. Here is why:

1. The right relationship will not make you feel that you have settled for something less.

And that is one of the best feelings in the world. Knowing that you didn’t settle with someone who was wrong for you, even though it was the easy path. You decided that it’s better to be on your own for a while, with everything that this implies. Because there is someone who is on the same page with you. They simply haven’t reached you yet.

2. The right relationship will bear a constant reminder of your worth.

You have become stronger, wiser and more emotionally aware and stable in the process. And you’ve even stop waiting because waiting implies you believe there is something else that can make you whole. You know you are whole. Connecting with another person would only be a bonus.

3. The right relationship will allow you to maintain your individuality and pursue your dreams.

Because it’s right. And when it’s right, the other person won’t feel the need to control you or erase what makes you unique. In fact, they will treasure this about you above all else. And they will even feel inspired by your commitment to pursue your goals and staying true to who you are on the inside.

4. The right relationship will not force you to change into someone you’re not, but will constantly push you to become better.

In other words, they will accept you, with all your flaws and quirks because they are well aware that no one is perfect. Moreover, you will strive together to become better human beings, constantly pushing each other to be kinder, love more.

And you know the right person will stay in your life, where they belong. Please share!

Being healthy is more than adopting the right diet, getting enough sleep and measuring your alcohol intake. It’s also having the right beliefs about yourself. Here are some healthy beliefs that should be the foundation of your emotional well-being.

1. I can do this

True grit is a mix of courage and perseverance. It’s a difficult thing to stay the course of your own plans and dreams when nothing goes your way. To know that your happiness depends on your own action, that you can do whatever you put your mind into is to be a truly independent person and to become the architect of your own life.

2. My mistakes don’t define me

To be emotionally healthy also means knowing that you cannot control everything. Mistakes will be made, accidents will happen, and outcomes will be disappointing, in spite of your best efforts. To know how and when to accept that you made a mistake, to learn from it and to move on is to be flexible and tolerant towards yourself.

3. Everybody is worthy of respect

You might not like everybody you meet, you may disagree with them or even don’t understand them at all, but you must respect them. There is literally nobody in the world whom you can despise in good consciousness, whom you can mistreat or insult and still consider yourself a good person.

4. I can laugh at myself

OK, you are totally responsible for what your life looks like and this can be a hard truth to accept. But this does not mean you have to be grumpy and serious all the time. Being able to laugh and most importantly laugh at yourself is an essential quality that will help you through hard times and happy moments alike.

5. I deserve love

We all want love. But sometimes is hard to see ourselves as worthy of love. Self-doubt, emotional or physical abuse, low self-esteem can really take a toll on our self-image. We can come to believe that we are not entitled to receive and give love. But you are worthy of love, just like everybody else. Please, share this!