Somewhere along the path of life everyone has to learn to think for themselves. Believe me, as a parent of teenagers, I find this truth to be the scariest thing to face. But, being afraid doesn’t change the facts. Your life is yours to command. Now, before the teenagers reading this decide to toss all parental guidance aside, let me also warn you—every choice you make comes with a consequence—some good, some bad. When you are willing to fully accept those consequences, whatever they may be, then you are mature enough to think solely for yourself. Blame can no longer be a part of your vocabulary, unless you feel like directing it at yourself—because you made the choice.

Now, if you’re worried you might not be able to do that whole not blaming thing, then you’re not ready to think solely for yourself. You still need the influence of outward guidance. The test of having the ability to manage absolute control of your own life—to think for yourself—is really that simple, and yet a critical point that sometimes even adults struggle with. So, don’t be too hard on yourself if it takes quite a bit of practice to truly learn to own one’s life.