Mindlessness.

It doesn't matter what independence means to me, or anyone really. The mindset that we need something to make us free or more able to do something is a scam.

The longing for independence feeds into our inhibitions, giving reason for our doubts. It's the need for independence, the strife to earn it, the illusion of gaining it, that holds us back.

Like a dog chasing a bone on a string above its head, we work hard and chase after this “independence” with the pathetic hope that receiving it will lead us to greater things, things we can do if we stop thinking about how we must achieve “independence” and instead focus on doing... Whatever it is we want to do.