Your Choice, Almost A Decade Later Poem by Niitu Reddy

It's been almost a decade since I first wrote about leaving home, chasing a dream, and trying to understand what independence meant. When I read those words again recently, I realized I was not wrong back then. I was just early.

At that time, independence meant distance. It meant learning to handle daily life without my parents around. It meant figuring things out through confusion, fear, and quiet effort.
It was not all serious, though. There were fun moments too. Small laughs, new experiences, and simple things that made the hard days easier.

When I read my younger self's words now, I do not see immaturity. I see courage. Making a decision without knowing how things will turn out takes more strength than we usually admit. Courage rarely feels like confidence at the start. Most of the time, it feels like choosing uncertainty and moving anyway.

Back then, I thought independence was something I would reach once I got through those early years. Today, I see it differently. Independence is not about cutting support away. It is about owning the choices you make.

My parents supported me and gave me stability. Looking back now, I see how much that mattered. Never hearing 'no' did not make things easier. It made responsibility heavier. Support does not remove effort. It adds accountability.

The fear I once wrote about feels different now. It is not loud anymore. It feels more like a signal. Fear does not always mean stop. Sometimes it just means slow down, prepare better, and pay attention.

I also learned that people influence us, but judgment shapes us. Not everyone you meet will stay, and that is okay. You take what you learn and move on. Over time, individuality becomes less about standing apart and more about being comfortable with yourself.

The idea of strength I once had has changed too. What I once thought of as survival skills has turned into patience, honest decision making, staying calm under pressure, and knowing when to change direction. Progress does not always feel fast, but steady effort matters more than speed.

Reading this again years later, I realize I have often played it safe. When I think about risk, I think about my dad. Growing up, I never saw fear in him. What I saw was someone willing to take risks and stand by them.

Maybe that's the part I need to listen to now.

Life did not stop teaching after those first months abroad. Work, responsibility, and everyday expectations brought new lessons. Growth usually happens quietly, without big moments or announcements.

One thing has stayed with me through all of this. My mother's words still guide me.

Your choice.

If you are unsure right now, that is okay. You do not need all the answers. You just need to take responsibility for the choice you make. The rest comes with time.

I am still learning.

And I am still moving forward. ❤️