7 Ways to Achieve Personal Freedom

So many of us live in “free countries”, but we’re not truly free.

Think about it: we’re shackled to our desks, working to earn a paycheck, often at a job we tolerate but don’t truly love. We’re surrounded by social constraints, government-imposed mandates, and even social obligations that force us to do things we don’t want to do.

That doesn’t sound like freedom, does it?

Finding personal freedom isn’t about going out into the wilderness and living as a sovereign citizen completely disconnected from the grid. No, it’s about finding the ways to be yourself, express yourself, and live your life the way you want to.

If you’re looking to achieve personal freedom, here’s what you need to do:

1. Make conscious choices. How many of us just continue doing what we’re doing out of inertia, or because it’s “better than the alternative”? Time to wake up and take conscious notice of what you’re doing. Every part of your life—work, social engagements, family events, etc.—is something you need to choose to do. Even if you choose it because it is the best of bad alternatives or you feel it’s the “right thing”, at least you’re making a choice. Suddenly, it’s no longer imposed on you, but you decided to do it. That is freeing in its own way, and it can make many difficult things a lot easier to put up with.

2. Cut out the “shoulds”. Far too often, we tell ourselves that we should do this, we should feel or not feel that way, or we should behave in a certain manner. These are just obligations that we place on ourselves (often as a result of societal norms or expectations), but can make us feel so trapped in our own lives. There are very few things that you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO DO. Do something because you want to, not because you “should”. Let go of all the “shoulds”, and it’ll lift a huge weight off your shoulders.

3. Do it because you want to. You don’t need anyone’s permission to do things that make you happy. This doesn’t mean you can break the law—that’s going to end with your personal freedom being taken away by the justice system—but it means you can start doing what you want to do just because you want to do it. Give yourself permission to chase your dreams, to do what excites you, and don’t wait until someone “lets” you. The greatest changes in the world have been brought about by people willing to take a risk.

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4. Find your value. You bring something of value to the table; it’s why you’re paid by your employer to do what you do, why your partner/spouse loves you, and why your family and friends like you. Give yourself credit for everything you are, everything you do, and everything you’re worth. Find your value and focus on that day after day. The more you realize how valuable you are, the easier it will be to make decisions that take back control and push your life in the direction you want it to go.

5. Stop making excuses. There are very few legitimate reasons why you truly CAN’T do something—paraolympians and adaptive skiers are living proof that there are no limits to your capabilities if you work hard enough and get creative. So stop making excuses for why you’re not doing things. Be honest with yourself (and others) about what’s preventing you from achieving your goals, trying something new, or striking out to do something great. Just accepting the truth is an amazing first step and will do wonders to liberate you from the chains of excuses that have held you back.

6. Find adventures everywhere. Typically, most of us think “travel” when we think of adventure, which may sound impossible for anyone who leads a very busy life or lives on a tight budget. But you can find adventure anywhere: it’s all about doing something new. Try a new food, visit a new park, walk through a new part of town, go to a new museum, hang out with new friends, or watch a new movie. The possibility for little adventures exists everywhere—you just have to be open to experiencing them!

7. Pursue self-betterment. You will never stop growing unless you let yourself. There is always room for greater growth and improvement. Sure, it will take a lot of hard work, but it’s absolutely worth it. The more you grow, the more you realize how valuable you are as a human being, and your value to others increases as well. Make the pursuit of self-betterment an integral part of your life!

You don’t have to change careers, move countries, or do something else grand and spectacular to experience greater personal freedom. In fact, some of the most liberating choices you can make will be the small ones that no one else but you ever sees—choices that give you greater freedom within the boundaries of your life.

Put into practice the steps above, and you’ll be one step farther along your path to personal freedom!

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