BECOMING EMOTIONALLY INDEPENDENT
· As we are emotional beings, detachment is not easy to master.
· Being emotionally needy is fine once in a while, but making a habit of it is dangerous.
· Emotional clingers are most likely to develop dependent personality disorder (DPD).
· DPD can lead to depression, emotional and physical abuse, even alcohol and drug abuse.
· Such individuals find it difficult to take decisions, are unable to express emotions, and run away from responsibilities.
· They start suffering from an inferiority complex with self-doubt, and have to consult a parent or partner even for the most mundane things.
1. Where to start?
· It requires a conscious effort to break dependency, a lot of practice, and can't happen overnight.
· The first step for emotional independence is to ‘know yourself’.
· Identify your needy behaviour by reflecting on your actions and reactions to people and situations.
2. Spending quality time with yourself
· Being alone is not being lonely, and ‘me-time’ has its virtues.
· Spend quality time with yourself doing things you enjoy.
· Read a book, watch your favourite TV soap, go shopping, start a new hobby, or pick an old one.
· There are many things you can do, without being dependant.
3. Don’t be an emotional puppet
· Seek emotional support, but don’t cling and become an emotional puppet in anyone’s hands.
· Always keep the remote control of your life firmly in your own hands.
· You will find that others will also then feel comfortable in your company.