Tired of living in fear..

Because I’m a woman, my family and friends are protective of me. They don’t like the idea of me driving out of state on my own, going outside of the country on my own, or walking as a solo woman.

I understand their concerns, but I’m tired of living in fear. Today, I felt like getting in some cardio today and walked to the grocery store. By the time I arrived home the sun had set. I made sure to use my flashlight while using the sidewalk, I remained aware of my surroundings, I didn’t have any earphones in, and I had mace in my pocket. I did all of this even though I know that crime is low in that area. By all accounts, I was practicing pretty decent situational awareness! And I don’t mind doing that. But I do mind my family complaining and panicking because I am apparently “being foolish and putting myself in danger”, “oh, someone can snatch me”, “hurt me”, etc.

Sure they could, but in many of the places I frequent those odds are low. Can you imagine how miserable my life would be if I relied on others to protect me all the time? If I scurried inside of the house and locked the doors as soon as everyone else had gone?

I can’t live like that, lmao. Does anyone else feel this way?