I don't feel the least bit independent and I work and go to school. I'm terrified of losing my job and ending up on the street and I go to school because I both enjoy it and fear if I do not further my education I will eventually become redundant, lose my job, and end up on the street. I have read many posts on here from people who for one reason or another cannot work. I cannot not work. Working takes up all of my emotional energy and on the weekend I am exhausted. I enjoy taking classes but they do require intellectual energy. I discussed my situation with a friend and came to the conclusion that my emotional reaction has less to do with the actual job (because I recognize my cruddy situation is not unique) and more to do with how I approach problems in general, particularly those that remind me of the troubles I had when young, when I truly was helpless. Because I have never known anything but work, or school, or work and school, I cannot imagine throwing in the towel on one or the other of them; even when I retire (God willing) I plan to volunteer at something, preferably something I really enjoy, like working with animals or young people.

I believe 'stress and anxiety' can be managed and believe also that workplaces could do more to support employees' well-being. If employees weren't bullied, mistreated, not allowed to take breaks, and had some say in how the tasks they are piled up to do were to be done, I think there would be a heck of a lot less 'stress and anxiety' in the first place.

In order to answer your question, you'd have to define what independence means for you.