Being a strong, independent woman is an excellent quality to have. Not every woman possesses this quality, but those who do, should never have to apologize for it. You are a strong and independent woman for a reason; lean into it.
True strength means knowing who you are and understanding your worth. Knowing what you want is never a bad thing; knowing helps you maintain a clear perspective on life. The more confident a woman feels, the happier she is with herself. Who should apologize for that?!
Frankly, I'm not apologizing for it. I'm proud to be a strong, independent woman and I encourage all women to embrace the strength within themselves. Ladies, it's time to stand up and proudly own your power - because strong women lift each other!
There are five tell-tale signs to recognize a strong woman. If you have any of these five traits, then chances are high that you're a powerful woman or on the right path toward becoming one:
You Know Your Worth
Strong women know their worth. They recognize they are an asset and aren't afraid to speak up. Whether it be something they want to get out of life, such as goals in their relationship or earning that sought-after promotion at work, independent women don't allow others to dissuade them from what they know they deserve. A sign of knowing your worth is not allowing anyone to treat you with less respect than you deserve. When you know your worth, you won't tolerate being belittled or underestimated. You have a voice, are not afraid to use it, and are keen to ensure you remain firm on what you believe is right while standing your ground.
For example, a woman who knows her worth won't lower her standards because her partner isn't willing to meet them. When you know your worth, you're not scared to let it be known that it's a relationship you want to be in and not something you need because you can maintain the stability of independence being single or taken.
You're Self-Sufficient
There's nothing more powerful than being able to conquer every task at hand. Being a strong, independent woman means that you are self-sufficient.
Having personal independence boosts your confidence. For example, when you are self-sufficient, you don't expect someone else to give you what you can get yourself. You don't need or depend on anyone and don't apologize for what you feel is right. Self-sufficient women are incredibly efficient and can find solutions to problems that may arise out of the blue. They are all-around doers!
You're a #BossBabe
A #bossbabe, a hard-working woman who knows what she wants and goes after it, is not just a trendy hashtag on the Gram. These women work hard and continuously bring their A-game. They can maintain focus and do whatever it takes to climb the ladder of success, even if they must make sacrifices. For instance, boss babes are willing to put in the work and provide for themselves so that no one can sit there and say, "You wouldn't have this if it weren't for me."
As an independent and determined woman, you can envision your future and have a plan of action to get there, always thinking five steps ahead. Having the ability to maintain focus at work and meet your career goals creates more opportunities down the road. Boss babes aren't afraid to take risks and go above and beyond what is expected of them. Most importantly, they trust the growth process and never doubt themselves. In relationships and even among coworkers, boss babes are encouraging and dependable.
You Exhibit Self-Control
As an independent woman who exhibits self-control, I'm very careful with the decisions I make and how I handle each situation at hand. Having self-control means you know that everything you do or every decision you make has a domino effect. You make the best of every situation. You always work with what you have and don't overreact when conditions don't go your way.
This noble trait also spills over into your relationships (both romantic and personal) by enabling you to keep a calm and rational perspective when disagreements arise. For instance, if you don't see eye to eye with someone, you can still respect their opinion. Even when push comes to shove and you feel like the world is resting on your shoulders, you can still maintain your feelings, control your emotions and remain accountable for your actions.
You Comand Respect
"Respect" by Aretha Franklin is a song that every independent woman knows and treasures. You see, strong women, value and appreciate respect because they know how to give it. Strong women are queens, and queens command respect. In true regal fashion, independent women understand how they should be treated and won't let anyone treat them poorly. They are fair to respect the choices and feelings of others while remaining confident and not afraid to speak up if something bothers them.
As a strong, independent woman who's not apologizing for being true to herself, it's worthwhile to cultivate these five traits within yourself or at least strengthen them if you are lucky enough to possess one or all of them. Most importantly, you should never have to be sorry for being tough and determined, and any setbacks you encounter should only fuel your desire to become even stronger. And, If you ever find yourself doubting your worth, just remember that the strong ones always come out on top!
This article was originally published in the 2019 Love Issue of Love U Magazine. The article was updated, refreshed and republished with new photography in February 2023.
Written by Jennifer Gonzales
J.M. Gonzales, editorial assistant at Love U Magazine, is the author of “Broken Silence” which can be found on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. She’s also been featured within many publications and websites, such as Buzzfeed.
