In college is when I think I was my happiest. I was doing well acedemically, I socialised a lot & met new people frequently, I spent time with my family and had a part time job that I enjoyed. And most importantly I felt confident about all these things. I think independece fuels confidence because it proves to yourself that you can do it on your own.

I’m now at university, living with my boyfriend, with close relationships with my family and old friends, I have a new group of friends and I’m pretty much financially independent.

However I don’t feel independent. I’ve done all this with the help of my boyfriend so I don’t feel like I’ve achieved it. I think I can be quite a paranoid person. I hate crowded places & don’t really do things on my own out of the house. I’d ike to be able to do simple things like go food shopping or go to get a hair cut or go for a walk on my own.

I think the way forward is ignore what my boyfriend is doing and do what I want to do. Don’t think that just because he doesn’t want to, I can’t. Be more optimistic & forceful.