Very well put, Luke. I just have to add my favorite text on self-reliance:
"Everyone in the world is governed by self-interest. People naturally think first of themselves and their agendas. An occasional affectionate or helpful gesture from people you know tends to cloud this reality and make you expect more of this support—until you are disappointed, again and again. You are more alone than you imagine. This should not be a source of fear but of freedom. When you prove to yourself that you can get things on your own, then you experience a sense of liberation. You are no longer waiting for people to do this or that for you (a frustrating and infuriating experience). You have confidence that you can manage any adverse situation on your own.
Think of it this way: Dependancy is a habbit that is so easy to acquire. We live in a culture that offers you all kinds of crutches. Experts to turn to, drugs to cure any psychological unease, mild pleasures to help pass or kill time, jobs to keep you just above water, it is hard to resist. But once you give in, it is like a prison you enter that you cannot ever leave. You continually look outward for help and this severly limits your options and manoeuverability. When the time comes, as it inevitably does, when you must make an important decision, you have nothing inside of yourself to depend on." -Robert Greene
Also used in this incredibly awesome motivational video (1:00).
Great quote. Thanks for sharing. Many people think an individualist approach is somehow separate from our connected humanity but I see it as taking care of yourself first so that you can then be in a position of strength to help many others who have no expectation of rescue but may also be in a situation with literally no capacity at the time to help themselves. That's where those who've done the hard work can help others help themselves.