My Mum
The summer before I started secondary school, my mum left an abusive marriage and took our lives 400 miles away to live with my grandparents. Since that summer nine years ago I’ve seen her flourish. I never really remember pre-eleven seeing my mum smile or be happy, I just remember her as someone who always put her children first and baked fantastic cakes. But now I see a woman who is happy and fierce. The older I become I realise how tough it must have been to make the brave decision to leave your friends, business and community and just run away. And now it’s simply amazing to see this fantastic network she’s built, she’s on committees for numerous charities in the community and devotes so much of her time to causes in need, I genuinely don’t know how she does it. So when I’m feeling a bit low and wonder how I’ll get myself into a good place again, I always think of my mum and the enormous challenges she’s overcome. My mum has always been my rock and always will be.
Anna
When I get myself into a bit of a situation I do think to myself what would Anna do. Anna’s knowledge of life is something I dream of, she somehow always knows what to do or how to act in every situation. I’ve lost track of the amount of times I’ve rung her in a state and she’s calmed me down and brought me back to reality. Anna is so comfortable in her own skin and she can conquer absolutely anything, she went to New Zealand for 9 months aged 18 and found herself a job, if that doesn’t strike strong independent woman I don’t know what does. Anna’s profound confidence is purely inspirational.
Vicki
Vicki is one of those friends I won’t see for a while and every time I see her she’s grown as a person, it’s beautiful to see. Vicki always puts her friends first and is incredibly loyal. Don’t get me wrong when you are out of line she’ll tell you straight but at the end of the day she’ll always have your back. Whenever I need some level-headed but honestly brutal advice then Vicki is my go-to girl. Vicki is very true to herself and knows her worth, she won’t give anymore of herself than someone gives her. She’s unequivocally independent and loves time on her own, she’s not scared of being solo and will never rely on a man. Vicki’s strength is inspiring.
Emma
Emma and I lived together in first year and travelled together throughout the year, so we’ve seen each other in every light under the sun, so it would be fair to say she knows me incredibly well. At the ripe age of 17 Emma moved to Exeter from the south of France to study, at the time I didn’t see it as too much of a big deal but when I now roam the streets of Brussels trying to ‘find myself’ (sometimes literally) aged twenty, I have no idea how she took on the challenge three years younger. Emma is incredibly independent, whether that be go clubbing solo in Berlin or move to yet another country alone just aged 19. Emma always remains true to herself and that inspires me everyday.
Alex
Alex has really blossomed following the breakup of a long-term relationship. Alex is undergoing an internship this summer in South America where she’s learning on the spot and travelling round here, there and everywhere. Having travelled almost every continent by the age of 21, she really knows what to do in every situation, whether that be how to make a souffle or how to keep an eight-person student house organised and clean for a year. She’s incredibly level-headed and gives very sound advice, she just always knows what’s the right thing. Alex’s strength and independence is all the motivation you need to be a strong independent woman.
Chloe
Every morning I sit down at work opposite Chloe and think WOW this girl is amazing. She’s feisty, fierce and so friendly towards everyone she meets. Chloe somehow balances 9 to 5 life with her masters which takes up her evenings and weekends. She also just made the brave decision to break-up with her boyfriend of five years, she knew she simply deserved better. She knows her worth and won’t settle for anything less than the best. Her unrelentless confidence is inspirational. I strive to be more like Chloe everyday.