In psychology, autonomy is the feeling of being in control of one's life and having the ability to make choices. It's considered a fundamental human need that's essential for psychological health, motivation, and well-being.
Some aspects of autonomy include:
Belief in control: The belief that you are in control of your actions
Freedom from pressure: The ability to make choices without being pressured by others
Flexibility: The ability to make choices
According to self-determination theory, autonomy is one of three basic psychological needs that drive human behavior. The other two needs are competence and relatedness. When these needs are met, people experience greater self-esteem, intrinsic motivation, and subjective well-being.
People who experience autonomy are more likely to perform well at work, achieve academic goals, and feel happier. In contrast, feeling like others are in control of your destiny can lead to poor self-esteem, a sense of helplessness, and worse mental health.