We are taught to chase titles, status, and bigger paychecks. But as I sat down to think about what I actually want out of life, I realized that true wealth doesn't come with a currency symbol. It comes with a clock.
Here is my personal definition of what freedom actually looks like:
To be able to wake up without an alarm and make the most of the first two hours of your day—freshening up, reading the newspaper or a book with a healthy drink, and soaking in the sunlight in your favourite open space. Having no urgency to cook, log in, check emails, or even respond to office calls is a true blessing!
Sticking to a couple of to-dos for the day and being able to work towards them in a cool café with light music; heading to the gym or going for a basic run in the local park; catching up with friends for a chat without having to constantly check the time—that is bang-on freedom.
It is the liberty to have a completely empty afternoon and not feel guilty about doing absolutely nothing. True freedom is breaking away from the constant pressure to always be productive.
It is getting to enjoy your favourite hobbies every day while munching on a self-cooked meal in a cozy corner of the house. Being able to move out of your house at any time of the day, or even travel for a couple of days or weeks to any random place on Earth while doing all of the above there.
Freedom is when you don’t have to work for money anymore, or ask for permission and leaves for your own life. No mails, no calls, no notifications. It is being able to leave your phone at home for a whole afternoon without feeling an ounce of anxiety or the need to document your life for strangers online.
- Bankruptcy? Money can be earned back.
- Shame? No one remembers.
- Rejection? Everyone faces it.
- Failure? At least you tried.
- Losing people? Not everyone is meant to stay.
Just being able to do anything that you love doing each day is what freedom looks like. Owning your time for yourself—chasing time and not money—is what freedom looks like. And when you reach that point, that is success to me.
Over to you: What does freedom look like in your book? Is it a quiet morning, a plane ticket to somewhere unknown, or simply turning off your phone for an entire weekend?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to read your definition.