Gaining freedom may seem like an uphill struggle. Yes, it does seem somewhat difficult. It is similar to when an authority figure advises, “Man, escape the rules.” Real freedom is more than just a fancy slogan. Can it be considered a realistic objective? The truth is that real freedom doesn’t have to cost as much as one may believe. Though everyone’s definition of freedom is unique, we often underestimate the freedom that comes with earning $150,000 annually. Hehe, just kidding.
What exactly is real freedom?
- When you are not being told what to do.
- When you think without any restrictions from cancel culture.
- When you have enough money, you don’t have to make decisions based on money.
- You are able to change your mind without judgment.
- When you find joy in giving money to those who need it without expecting anything in return.
- This isn’t the usual definition of freedom you hear.
Things are shifting because people are fed up with the exaggerated issues that accompany fame and fortune, which turn decent people into nasty ones.
People like order, yet true freedom is like chaos
When things make sense and we feel secure in knowing what is ahead, we like it. However, we frequently fail to see that our minds crave some degree of disorder. We require a harmony between chaos and order. We actually don’t have freedom without it.
Why? Our creativity is sparked by chaos, and creativity provides us with a reason for our existence. A happy life can be compared to balancing between disorder and order on a double-edged sword. It is kind of interesting, right? In the absence of chaos, boredom sets in, gradually robbing us of our freedom.
A life of confinement results from abiding by the rules
In the end, most people abide by the rules. They grow habituated to living in a prison-like environment. A few make improvements, such as requesting improved ventilation or illumination. Seldom does someone turn into a revolutionary who tears down the walls of prison.
Anthony de Mello once said, “You can only be a revolutionary when you see the prison walls in the first place.” Thus, be cautious while approving everything without question.
I met a lot of people who said yes to everything during the course of my career. They made sure they obtained their pay by following rules and regulations.
I liked to think differently from the norm. I enjoyed challenging conventional wisdom about how the world and institutions were run. I refused to accommodate them, even though they didn’t like it and only wanted everyone to agree. I was surprised to receive a lot of promotions, despite my uniqueness. In contrast to traditionalists, who took the conventional professional route, rebels like me advanced quickly to positions of leadership.
Why? Since change is essential to business, the more benefits you receive, the faster you adjust. Conversely, traditionalists bring about stagnation, which is what brought about the demise of businesses like Kodak and Blockbuster.
Quit rather than do a job you hate
The takeaway from this is that leaving a job you despise is preferable to being trapped in a routine that drains your soul. A profession devoid of originality saps the life out of you and makes progress challenging. Divyanka Tripathi, an occupational health expert, asserts that monotony at work is more detrimental to one’s health than harmful substances. Thus, our first concern for our health should be to break out of habit.
The simple way to become truly free
Make a conscious effort to break out of your mundane existence and discover true freedom. Provide answers to questions about your perfect life, such as where you will live, what you will be doing for a living, and when you will wake up. This is how you start living a life that will lead to your own kind of freedom.
Being free makes you rethink everything
Freedom invites you to think critically about everything. It is more effective to ask questions than to merely look for answers. Intellectual institutions are the foundation of society, but true freedom comes from following your curiosity and refusing to accept conventional answers.
The downside of freedom
This brings us to the surprising drawback of freedom. This thought from writer Charles Bukowski changed everything:
“And when nobody texts you to hang out, when you have no missed calls to return, and when you can do whatever you want, what do you call it, freedom or loneliness?”
True freedom has its delights, but loneliness comes along with it. As we accept freedom and become disconnected from some friends and former coworkers, we may go through periods of loneliness. While it is great to have freedom, if people fail to manage it, loneliness can follow. It is necessary to find balance.
Sana Ahmed Khan is a life coach and author of multiple books from Islamabad, Pakistan. As a certified life coach and author, Sana is keen on helping women from all walks of life. Sana empowers you to overcome self-doubt, find balance, and become your best self through her guidance focused on mindful living, social skills, and personal development.
