50+ Ways to Be More Self-Sufficient and Stop Relying on Others

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefits of Being More AutonomousHow to Develop Self-SufficiencyStrategies for Building Self-Sufficiency in Different Areas of LifeOvercoming Challenges to Self-SufficiencyMaintaining Self-Sufficiency

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Benefits of Being More Autonomous

How to Develop Self-Sufficiency

Strategies for Building Self-Sufficiency in Different Areas of Life

Overcoming Challenges to Self-Sufficiency

Maintaining Self-Sufficiency

Whether it’s leaning on others for advice,emotional validation, financial support, or help with daily tasks, we all need support sometimes. Maybe it’s from our parents, partners, friends, or other people in our lives—it’s comforting to have someone to turn to. On the flip side, it can be easy to fall into a cycle ofdependence, and before we realize it, this reliance can start to hold us back.

The truth is, it’s important to learn how to be self-sufficient. Taking charge of our own lives can help us build the confidence we need to stand on our own two feet. Knowing that we can take care of ourselves and our needs can help us feel more empowered and independent.

“You are the only person who is going to be around for every moment of your life and the person who will have to deal with the impact of each of your decisions. The more you develop your self-sufficiency skill set, the more you can rely on yourself in any situation,” saysNikki Innocent, a holistic life, career, and leadership coach.

In this article, we explore the benefits of self-sufficiency and ask the experts for some strategies on how to be more independent—emotionally, practically, and financially speaking.

At a GlanceTired of always relying on others? It’s time to break free from that cycle. Being more self-sufficient can help you be more confident, independent, and resilient.Whether it’s your finances, relationships, or daily tasks, it’s important to start taking responsibility for yourself. You may make mistakes occasionally, but it’s all part of the learning process. Be patient with yourself and keep at it, you’ll be a pro in no time. You’ve got this!

At a Glance

Tired of always relying on others? It’s time to break free from that cycle. Being more self-sufficient can help you be more confident, independent, and resilient.Whether it’s your finances, relationships, or daily tasks, it’s important to start taking responsibility for yourself. You may make mistakes occasionally, but it’s all part of the learning process. Be patient with yourself and keep at it, you’ll be a pro in no time. You’ve got this!

Tired of always relying on others? It’s time to break free from that cycle. Being more self-sufficient can help you be more confident, independent, and resilient.

Whether it’s your finances, relationships, or daily tasks, it’s important to start taking responsibility for yourself. You may make mistakes occasionally, but it’s all part of the learning process. Be patient with yourself and keep at it, you’ll be a pro in no time. You’ve got this!

8 Things to Do If You’re Feeling Helpless

These are some of the benefits of being self-sufficient:

Nikki Innocent, Life CoachYou are the only person who is going to be around for every moment of your life. The more you develop your self-sufficiency skill set, the more you can rely on yourself in any situation.

Nikki Innocent, Life Coach

You are the only person who is going to be around for every moment of your life. The more you develop your self-sufficiency skill set, the more you can rely on yourself in any situation.

Overcoming Failure to Launch Syndrome: Your Guide to Independence

Becoming more self-sufficient involves gradually building skills and habits that allow you to rely on yourself more and others less. Here’s how you can start:

It’s important to build self-sufficiency in all the different aspects of your life. Here are some strategies that may be helpful.

In Relationships

Self-sufficiency in relationships doesn’t mean isolation. Rather, it’s about finding a balance between independence andinterdependence. Here’s how to cultivate it:

Why Self-Preservation Is Key to Protecting Your Peace Every Day

In Finances

Financial self-sufficiency involves taking control of your finances and ensuring you have the resources to meet your needs without relying on others. Here’s how you can work towards it:

In Daily Tasks and Responsibilities

Building self-sufficiency in daily chores and tasks involves developing the skills you need to look after yourself. Here are some tips that may come in handy:

How to Stop Being Codependent

If you’re finding it hard to become more self-sufficient, these are some strategies that may help:

Maintaining self-sufficiency takes effort, adaptability, and a proactive approach to managing your life. Here are some ways you can do it:

How Important Is Alone Time for Mental Health?

Keep in Mind

Trying to be more self-sufficient can feel daunting, but remember, it’s about progress, not perfection. We all rely on others at times, but building the capacity to handle life’s challenges on our own is empowering. By taking small steps and learning new skills, you can gradually shift your dependence from others to yourself. It’s all about finding thatinner strength. You know you’ve got it!

Self Efficacy and Why Believing in Yourself Matters

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ryszewska-Łabędzka D, Tobis S, Kropińska S, Wieczorowska-Tobis K, Talarska D.The association of self-esteem with the level of independent functioning and the primary demographic factors in persons over 60 years of age.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Feb 10;19(4):1996. doi:10.3390/ijerph19041996van den Toren SJ, van Grieken A, de Kroon MLA, Mulder WC, Vanneste YTM, Raat H.Young adults' self-sufficiency in daily life: The relationship with contextual factors and health indicators.BMC Psychol. 2020 Aug 28;8(1):89. doi:10.1186/s40359-020-00434-0

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ryszewska-Łabędzka D, Tobis S, Kropińska S, Wieczorowska-Tobis K, Talarska D.The association of self-esteem with the level of independent functioning and the primary demographic factors in persons over 60 years of age.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Feb 10;19(4):1996. doi:10.3390/ijerph19041996van den Toren SJ, van Grieken A, de Kroon MLA, Mulder WC, Vanneste YTM, Raat H.Young adults' self-sufficiency in daily life: The relationship with contextual factors and health indicators.BMC Psychol. 2020 Aug 28;8(1):89. doi:10.1186/s40359-020-00434-0

Ryszewska-Łabędzka D, Tobis S, Kropińska S, Wieczorowska-Tobis K, Talarska D.The association of self-esteem with the level of independent functioning and the primary demographic factors in persons over 60 years of age.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Feb 10;19(4):1996. doi:10.3390/ijerph19041996van den Toren SJ, van Grieken A, de Kroon MLA, Mulder WC, Vanneste YTM, Raat H.Young adults' self-sufficiency in daily life: The relationship with contextual factors and health indicators.BMC Psychol. 2020 Aug 28;8(1):89. doi:10.1186/s40359-020-00434-0

van den Toren SJ, van Grieken A, de Kroon MLA, Mulder WC, Vanneste YTM, Raat H.Young adults' self-sufficiency in daily life: The relationship with contextual factors and health indicators.BMC Psychol. 2020 Aug 28;8(1):89. doi:10.1186/s40359-020-00434-0

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At a Glance#

Nikki Innocent, Life Coach#

In Relationships#

In Finances#

In Daily Tasks and Responsibilities#

Keep in Mind#