The Balance of Freedom

Freedom is something I value significantly.

Some years ago I was sat in a cafe in a central Veronan square, working my way through the activities of a self-help book. I can’t recall which book it was, but the goal was to define a set of ideals that are important to you, that you live by or base your life around.

I came up with three words, one of which is ‘freedom’.

To me, freedom is the ability to do what I want to do without consequence from or reliance on others. If I am free, I get to decide what I do with my time, and I can get on with it in my own time and way. It helps me feel I have control of my life. If I have control over the things I do - or want to do - I have control over my life.

But I’ve found this hard to balance with the realities of life, realities that are necessary (work) or important to me (relationships). My choices affect those around me, those I care about. If I’m being free, at some level I am neglecting relationships with my friends and family. And by working, I lose the ability to be completely free; freedom requires money, money requires work.

I enjoy my work, my relationships, and my freedom. It is an evolving balance, one which I am constantly trying to stabilise and learn.