In the early days of America’s founding, it was considered high praise to be described as an independent person.
Being independent is quite distinct from being individualistic. Individualism is a hedonistic pursuit focused on what is best for oneself, often without much concern for the various spheres of influence and relationships that surround one. On the other hand, an independent spirit, in the classical sense, embodies virtue.
An independent person strives to provide for their own needs as much as possible so they won’t be a burden to others. They seek to reach their own conclusions so as not to be swayed by every fad. They are deeply anchored by an inner compass rather than trying to please those around them.
A collection of independent men and women can form a great community and, eventually, a great nation. Individualism, however, erodes the sense of shared purpose and mission that holds a collective together.
I believe our families, neighborhoods, countries, and world would all benefit from the wise, thoughtful pursuit of independence—not the kind of independence that makes us care less about others or ignores our relational dependence on each other, but the kind of independence that sets a strong foundation for the pursuit of a vigorous and virtuous life.
- Read widely to expose yourself to many ideas and avoid being beholden to a single ideology. Don’t be trapped by the narrow confines of the culture and biases you were born into. Expose yourself to the best ideas across time and disciplines, and draw from them practically when they make sense within the context of your life.
- Maintain a mindset of curiosity and a desire to seek understanding. The modern world pushes us to specialize and know one area well. While there’s value in this, there’s also value in cultivating a broad understanding of many things. When you grasp how the world works and observe the many patterns of how things fit together, you’re less likely to be fooled by old ideas with new skin or foolish ideas that will never work.
- Learn new skills that will allow you to take care of yourself and others. Instead of waiting on others to help you or paying professionals to fix your problems, take pleasure in learning to care for your home, car, and the tools you use. Even knowing the basics gives you a kind of freedom that money can never buy.
- Make your own decisions without waiting for permission from others. Don’t let other people do your thinking for you, and simply believe what is handed to you. Test ideas, think about them critically, and reach your own conclusions. You don’t need to do this alone—part of independence is deciding which wise voices to allow into your life and which sources of truth you will pursue.
- Work hard and avoid laziness to achieve a degree of financial independence. Thrift, economy, and hard work are values that don’t carry the same cachet they once did, but taking care of your own financial needs is virtuous. If you are blessed with abundance, from the security of your own independence, you can offer help to those who cannot make ends meet through little fault of their own.
- Embrace challenges and put yourself in positions where your skills are tested. Over time, our strength and courage grow flabby if we do not test them and keep them prepared for the day they may be called upon. Don’t seek out a life of comfort and ease—not only will it erode your independent spirit—but there is far more pleasure and satisfaction in a life spent doing hard things and then enjoying occasional well-deserved rest.
- Set your own goals and pursue them wholeheartedly. I’m a fan of free markets and capitalism, but their current hyper-levels of influence push us into a life of consumption. Instead, decide for yourself what kind of life you want and the goals worthy of your calling. Pursue them with vigor, and don’t be distracted by what the world around you considers valuable.
- Take initiative in solving your problems before seeking help. In the spirit of being an independent person, try to solve your problems yourself. Don’t be so quick to Google an answer, to call in a professional, or to throw up your hands in defeat. The time you spend struggling, trying, and persevering will make your eventual success all the sweeter.
- Establish boundaries and be willing to say no when it’s hard. Those who fear man will find it hard to say no to others, but only you can decide what is suitable for your time. This is not a call to selfishly run from responsibility but rather to protect your time so that you can do as much good as possible without being distracted by the many good things you aren’t doing.
- Stand up for what you believe is true and good, especially when it’s the minority view. Every age sees a new set of values rise and fall. If you find yourself in complete alignment with your times, there’s a chance and a high likelihood that you are being carried away by the winds of what is popular and easy to believe. Draw forth your beliefs from deeper waters than this, search for what is true, and hold fast to it no matter what anyone else says.