Cultural Roots and Independent Wings: A Journey to Self-Reliance

My parents always encouraged me to be independent from a young age. I didn’t understand why at first. I was sent to a boarding school in my early primary years — a difficult period in the beginning. Like any other child, I often felt homesick. I cried, wrote letters, and hoped my parents would take me back home — but that never happened.

Eventually, I learned to adapt. Survival is an instinct, hahahah. Life in boarding school slowly became bearable. What once felt impossible started to feel easier. I was a reserved child, but I began making friends — friendships I didn’t know would last for years. Gradually, I shifted my perception of boarding school and started embracing the people around me in a positive way. My journey after that was fantastic. I bloomed in that environment — from participating in cultural and sports activities to excelling in academics, I was on top of it all.

Dependency and individuality are two sides of the same coin. The more dependent you are, the less likely you are to reach your true potential. Freedom fuels growth; dependency stifles it. When you rely on others too much, you expect life to go your way without putting in the necessary work. How does that help you see yourself clearly?

Individuality is born from freedom. A strong individual is rarely dependent on others, especially mentally. They think differently, carry themselves with confidence, and move with purpose — because they’ve worked on themselves. They’ve faced life’s ups and downs on their own, and that’s an essential part of one’s upbringing.

Today, I thank my parents for raising me this way. My journey to self-reliance has given me a sense of belonging — paradoxical as that may sound. It brings peace with yourself. You become a force to reckon with.