live your own life

live (one's) own life

To act, think, or behave independently; to be true to one's own interests, judgments, and beliefs, independent of the opinions or influences of others. I've never once worried about where you would end up after finishing school. Even from a young age, you've always lived your own life. I'm sick of being expected to follow in his footsteps as this great musician—I just want to live my own life!
See also: life, live, own
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

live your own life

follow your own plans and principles; be independent of others.
See also: life, live, own
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • live (one's) own life
  • (one's) own person
  • courage of one's convictions, have the
  • have the courage of (one's) convictions
  • have the courage of convictions
  • have the courage of your convictions
  • have/lack the courage of your convictions
  • lack the courage of (one's) convictions
  • do one's own thing, to
  • do unto others
References in periodicals archive
When my daughter Erica finished her high school, I gifted her with a song that summarized all I wrote above called Live Your Own Life: "Don't take my word or anyone else's/What's right for me may not be right for you/I have my own dreams/I live my own story/And someday soon you'll be living yours too/So enjoy your own joys/Gain from your own pain/Dream your own dreams/Dance to your own song/It's the only way to go/It's the only road you'll ever know.
Love yourself
It's a choice no one should have to make: Accept the life your family expect of you or live your own life and be cut off from them forever.
AFRAID FAMILY WILL HURT ME FOR BEING GAY
So live your own life, don't listen to the experts, do what you want to do and enjoy life.
One man's junk food..
And now that summer's here, why not go outside and live your own life?
TV girl
This may seem like a poetic flight of fancy but the meaning is far deeper than asking if you live your own life.
thought for the day
* "Life is too short to allow others to determine how you will live your own life!"
The Advocate poll
"You've got to live your own life - and if they don't like it, tough, " she insists.
Couples bridging age gaps
The other is called, Live Your Own Life. In both songs I mentioned that they will have to learn and discover their own truth.
Why being a dad is like shaving
She has new beliefs, which you can't expect her to give up but those beliefs don't fit in with how you want to live your own life.
Religion has driven us apart
It is important to live your own life and not let your family bully you.
Should I contact shunned relative? Teentalk
"There are so many issues that you have to deal with - backroom people, doctors, physios, masseurs, county board people, the media and then you have to try to live your own life, do a bit of work, look after your family and all the rest.
O'CONNOR: WE WILL HAVE TO PAY GAA MANAGERS SOON
Show them that by letting you live your own life, at least part of the time, helps you focus on your schoolwork the rest of the time.
Folks prevent me having boyfriend; Teen talk
Let her know that, while you appreciate what she does for you, she has to let you live your own life And, if she has any questions about your sex life, they should be directed at you alone.
Dear MIRIAM: Furious at sex spying by mother
It's important to live your own life, and never be influenced by what others say."
MIRROR JOBS: STAR TIPS
And, as Diane says, "You've got to live your own life - if they don't like it, tough."
Older women and their taboo toyboys; Me And My Toyboy Thursday, Ch5, 8.00pm