Dear Reader: Keep Building Yourself Too

Dear Reader,

Listen, I believe every woman should have some form of financial independence. Not because marriage is destined to fail, not because men are the enemy, and certainly not because love should be approached with one foot out of the door.

But because there is something deeply important about knowing that you can take care of yourself.

I can feed myself. I can help my children. I can survive a difficult season. I can make choices. I am not trapped anywhere simply because I cannot afford to leave.

Money does not solve everything, but a lack of money can take away choices very quickly.

A woman wanting her own income is not rebellion. Her ambition is not disrespect. Building something of her own does not mean she loves her family any less. Sometimes it simply means she understands the importance of having agency over her own life.

Love someone deeply. Build together. Trust each other.

But please, somewhere inside all that loving and giving, keep building yourself too.

There is nothing wrong with knowing you can stand on your own feet, even when you have chosen someone wonderful to stand beside you.

About the author

Pat Ricia is a Zimbabwean writer and entrepreneur based in the UK, writing about faith, purpose, womanhood and intentional living. Read her story.