Freedom
Freedom: to live freely; to choose how I live and behave, or help others to likewise.
Important to me because...I believe in the importance of everyone being able to live the life they choose. I have made decisions that are different from what I was exposed to in my earlier years, which has brought both challenges and pride. For example, choosing a life without children is often questioned or not understood and creates some defensiveness on my part. I want to consistently stand up for my choices and feel confident about my life.
Will be in my life through...being mindful of not defending or overexplaining my choices regarding travel, purchases or how I spend my time. I want to get out of the habit of comparing myself to how others live their lives or downplaying my stress and busyness simply because it is not the same as others. I will also seek opportunities to advocate for others and their freedoms.
Five ways to enact the value of Freedom in your life:
Set Personal Boundaries: protecting your time, energy, and priorities is a part of Freedom in your life. Learn to say no!
Prioritize Self-Expression: be open and honest about your choices and challenge the urge to overexplain yourself.
Embrace learning: ensuring you are educated in areas that impact your life and are important to you helps you make informed decisions.
Limit social media overload: stepping away from the automatic comparisons that happen by scrolling social media will help you focus on your life.
Simplify your commitments: let go of unnecessary obligations and tasks that don’t serve your goals or happiness.
“Freedom is not the absence of commitments, but the ability to choose—and commit myself to—what is best for me.” – Paulo Coelho