How to gain freedom by changing ourselves?
Freedom is a fundamental human need and a central aspect of personal growth, development, and happiness. When individuals enjoy freedom, they can express themselves, make comfortable choices, realize their potential, and live on their terms. Freedom empowers us to lead a quality life emotionally and protects our physical and mental health.
As popularly quoted, “Freedom is the oxygen of the soul.” The freedom a person enjoys reflects in their holistic performance and personality. Individuals with optimal and healthy freedom levels are creative, kind, impactful, and open-minded and leave a lasting impression on the individuals around them.
Limiting factors to freedom
The world around us seems huge or shrunken based on the freedom levels we experience. While diverse factors can limit an individual’s freedom, to progress in life, it is imperative to inspect and overcome all possible limitations one by one.
Here I would like to throw light on how to free ourselves from personal limiting factors that hinder us from change and freedom.
Often, it can appear that our progress is being blocked, not just by our own circumstances but by the presence and actions of others. However, we can break free of such barriers by changing our outlook.
In my understanding, experiencing freedom through personal transformation involves the steps below:
Step #1: List out limiting factors, beliefs, and behaviours.
Identify the notions and behaviours that hold us back and prevent us from a sense of freedom. Societal norms, stress to maintain a status, self-imposed and unrealistic goals, physical health limitations, financial limitations, skill gaps, and structural inequalities can often make us feel constrained and hinder us from unleashing our fullest potential.
The first step to overcoming such limitations is to look at such barriers realistically and accept them. Doing so conserves our energy levels and helps diverts our focus and actions onto possibilities.
Step #2: Set clear goals and take appropriate actions.
Now that we identified our limitations, it’s time to focus on what we can do instead of what we cannot. Set clear, achievable goals that align with your values and work towards them with purpose and determination. Learn and upskill to achieve your goals, overcome limitations, and hone your strengths.
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Step #3: Let go of the past.
Freeing ourselves of the baggage of the past can feel empowering. The reduced weight on our soul imparts the momentum to move forward. Release negative past experiences and forgive yourself and others. Focus on the present moment and what you can control.
Step #4: Be self-aware and mindful.
Cultivate a deep understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and actions through mindfulness and introspection. Distract the attention of your thoughts from limitations and focus your energy on the goal. Be mindful at each step and celebrate every small achievement in the journey towards your goal.
Step #5: Nurture positive relationships and habits
Surround yourself with positive people and cultivate habits that support your well-being and personal growth. In the journey towards freedom, it is equally important to realize others’ freedom and allow them to take pride in their ideologies.
Step #6: Embrace change and uncertainty.
Cultivating a change mindset can open new opportunities for growth and liberation. Learn to be comfortable with the unknown. Plan for the worst situations and prepare to lead a minimalistic life. When prepared to embrace the darkest times, fear can no longer stop us from moving ahead in life.
Responsibility adds beauty to freedom.
Before I conclude, a last but most valuable reminder for all of us: once we attain freedom, it is vital to use it in a meaningful and responsible way toward the greater good.
“Freedom is for everyone, whatever lifestyle they choose, as long as it’s peaceful and honest.” — Russell Means