How To Be An Independent Woman

A recent dinner conversation with my friend Logan caused me to reevaluate myself as an independent black woman who don’t need a man. We were discussing what it meant to be an independent woman; I proceeded to reveal my ignorance when it comes to appliances, such as lawn mowers, power tools, toaster ovens, televisions, printers, etc.

Apparently, Logan is the Beyoncé of female mechanics. She questioned my ability to provide for myself when I told her I didn’t know how to change a flat. Or use a jack. Or locate my spare tire. Thus, with a gleam in her eye, she said, “You need to be an independent woman. I’m going to teach you how to change a tire…but let me check with my dad first to see if it’s okay.”

Two days later, we’re in the university parking lot, reeking of independence and womanhood. Obviously, I had a photographer there to capture what was to be a miraculous milestone in my adult life (I also wanted to show everyone on Instagram how awesome and independent I can be). I am now a tire-changing, high-class diva. Which inspired me to write this post.

So…how do you become an independent woman like me? Here are some tips:

1. Know tool names.
Whether it’s a hammer or a switch blade or whatever, know it. You don’t have to know what they do, but if you know their names, it’s easy to pretend like you do. If you want to be really independent, know how to spell tool names.

2. Carry heavy stuff around.
It’s important to occasionally carry heavy things in public in order to establish your independence to society. Carry a 12-pack of Coke around Wal-Mart for a couple of minutes instead of putting it in a cart. Roll your eyes, tighten your grip, and say “I got this” if a man offers to help.

3. Be able to parallel park or drive a stick-shift.
I can’t do either of those things, but I bet Sarah Palin can, so they’re probably important.

4. Pump your own gas.
I would rather be stranded on the side of the road than ask a man, other than my father, to put gas in my car. Because I respect myself. And because I don’t have a boyfriend.

5. Know all the words to at least three Beyoncé songs.
I feel like this is self-explanatory.

6. Help other women become independent.
There’s nothing more strong and independent than teaching other girls how to check the oil in their cars or build something out of wood…or twerk, or something. Help a sista out!

That’s basically all it takes to be an independent woman. Most importantly, always remember that you don’t need to depend on others for approval or affirmation. (Side note: go check out that tire-changing picture on my Instagram, I need more likes! @andreareevs)

If you don’t have a metaphorical member of Destiny’s Child to help you with your car troubles, here’s a post from She Knows Living on how to change a tire!

Andrea Reeves is a 20 year-old college student with a slightly-endearing obsession with Disney and Harry Styles. She’s a Public Relations/Journalism major at a hipster school in You’ve Probably Never Heard of It, FL. who decided to give blogging a shot; most of her posts are a mixture of how-tos, “girly stuff,” and stories about being a broke, single college student. Read more on her blog and her Twitter.

Featured Image via Shutterstock