I'm a brazilian girl and I'm also struggling with this. It's not that easy when your family is rigid or overprotective but they will understand if you show, with kindness, that you're prepared for the world and they don't have to worry 'cause you're already strong enough to face the life. ^^ Try to do a small thing they think you can't do. Do it confidently and calm to be successful, they might respect you for that.

I'm a Vietnamese girl. My dream is also becoming an independent woman like you. Sometimes I'm under little pressure and don't know what have to do....in that time ! I've come back my home, see my mom and younger sister smile, cry on my mother's shoulder. After that, I'm brave again. The independent women doesn't mean that they don't need their family. Let's try too much. When meeting anything unhappy, don't try to show you brave > Cry > Return home > Your family will ease your hurt ^^ Believe me ^^