10 signs that you are an independent thinker

     When you think independently, you have an innate confidence that you can make valuable decisions based on your own innate intelligence.

You rely more on your own judgment than on public opinion. You are guided by your own values and views rather than blindly following others. You value the support and guidance of others, but you do what you think is best.

Independent thinkers never suffer from cognitive biases or succumb to stereotypes. This is why independent thinkers are imaginative and creative, which helps them gain mental clarity and make the best decisions.

Choices are determined by your critical thinking skills, perceptions, and the conclusions you draw. You keep track of your own thoughts and don't mindlessly follow public opinion.

So are you an independent thinker?

1. You are not playing the victim.

You are in control of your own actions and do not consider yourself a victim of circumstance.

You hold yourself accountable for your own behavior and actions. You are not a fan of self-pity because you prefer to fight until your last breath.

You focus more on the solution than the problem. You focus on being grateful for what you have rather than complaining about what you don't have.

You turn problems into opportunities to become smarter and stronger. Because you know you have everything you need for the life you want. Independent thinkers are not victims, they are winners.

2. You think critically, analytically, and outside the box.

Thinking outside the box is one of the most basic signs that you are an independent thinker, and one of the most important skills of independent thinking.

Independent thinking is closely intertwined with critical thinking. It allows you to analyze and perceive situations and information without bias.

Your thinking relies more on evidence than blind faith.

3. You don't care about public opinion.

Independent thinkers are not blind followers. You don't believe in something just because someone told you so.

You believe in questioning and verifying the legitimacy of what is being said, whether by someone influential or your loved ones.

You have the power to go against public opinion and go against the crowd to defend your truth. People who think independently are usually sincere, not pretentious, and hate showing off.

You understand that erroneous opinions don't necessarily become true simply because most people believe they are.

4. You focus on the facts.

Independent thinkers focus primarily on evidence and facts, not anything else.

You draw your own conclusions based on reliable information, not hype or fads. You like to make decisions after carefully considering all available information and applying critical thinking to find alternative routes.

You don't jump to conclusions. You come to them by double-checking every piece of information available to you to make sure it is objective and based on facts. This is one sign that you are an independent thinker.

5. You believe in yourself.

Self-confidence is one of the key traits of independent thinkers.

You are never shy about sharing your opinion because you know it is not based on ego or false beliefs. Relying on your instincts, judgments, facts and beliefs, you know that you are right about some things and feel confident enough to stake your reputation on it.

Nevertheless, you also have the strength to admit your mistakes when you are wrong, for this is a rewarding experience for you.

6. You are aware of yourself.

Being introspective, reflective, and self-conscious, independent thinkers are aware of their own thoughts, emotions, and perceptions.

You can easily sense when your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors don't match your instincts. Because you can see clearly and focus on yourself, you tend to be more creative, confident and open-minded.

It will help you communicate better, make better choices and build healthy relationships.

When necessary, you question even your own beliefs in order to understand what really matters and to find meaning in life. Self-awareness is one of the most important signs that you are an independent thinker.

7. You accept different opinions.

Although independent thinkers develop their own opinions, this does not mean that they criticize or demean others with opposing views.

When you think independently, you accept different points of view. Instead of demeaning others by defending your beliefs, you simply agree or disagree but give your opponent the respect he or she deserves.

You know how to treat people right and focus on creating an emotional connection with others, emphasizing similarities rather than differences. You value the opinions of others as much as your own

8. You accept doubt.

One of the most common signs that you are an independent thinker is self-doubt.

Independent thinkers are not narcissists. They don't cling needlessly to their beliefs to protect their ego or sense of self-worth.

As an independent thinker, you are full of doubt, but you take steps to gain clarification and clarity. You understand that there is no absolute truth when it comes to personal opinions and judgments, so there is always room for doubt.

But you like this uncertainty because it encourages you to seek more information and make clearer decisions.

9. You never seek attention or approval.

Independent thinkers don't share their opinions or defend their point of view in search of attention.

You don't care about getting the approval of others because you tend to do the right thing even when no one is looking. You believe in your own opinion even when others do not share it.

Receiving praise or approval is not your goal for developing your own judgment.

10. You seek the truth, even if it is harsh.

The search for truth is one of the hidden signs that you are an independent thinker.

People who like to think independently are not content with soothing and sweet lies; they thrive on the brutality of harsh and real truth. Independent thinking means accepting the truth, even if it is unappealing and painful.

You prefer painful truths to false, beautiful illusions, even when things don't turn out the way you expected.

You don't follow the crowd, do you?

People who don't follow the crowd blaze new trails. Here are some other quick signs that you are an independent thinker:

• You don't "obey" or follow orders just because you've been asked to.
• You don't give in to anyone's opinions unless they are based on facts.
• You never act or behave out of line because of pressure from people.
• You don't blindly trust anyone, even people in authority.
• You have a flexible and open mind and approach to life.
• You believe in problem-solving, not problem-solving.
• You don't hold firm views on religion or politics.
• You read a lot about things you don't know.
• You are very confident in yourself.
• You don't prefer stereotypes or labels.
• You ask a lot of questions.