6. Learn to soothe yourself.
Give yourself permission to acknowledge and feel your feelings. As Lancer said, instead of thinking, “’I shouldn’t feel this way’” or ignoring your feelings, be a good parent to yourself and comfort yourself. Take time to figure out what calms and supports you and makes you happy.
Again, becoming more autonomous means living by “your own internal guidance system,” rather than external systems, Lancer said. And it’s key to fulfillment. “We can never feel fulfilled by following someone else’s dreams: independent living is the only way to find true satisfaction,” Judd said.
