Freedom is one of my core values.

Recently, I’ve been delving deeper into my values and exploring where I am honouring them in my life and where I am not. So I’ve started exploring Freedom which is the top of my list.

I can’t function without it… or so I thought.

Someone recently asked me what Freedom says and does. When I switch off my head and stop analysing everything, what does Freedom want to say and do?

That’s when the penny dropped. I realised that I’ve not been honouring freedom. I’ve been constraining myself. I’ve stopped myself saying and doing things for fear of what other people might think. Fear of being rejected. Fear of looking stupid. Fear of doing the wrong thing. Fear of failure, whatever that is.

I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I thought I was constrained by my circumstances and by other people and I was resisting that. I made up all sorts of stories and assumptions of how I was expected to be, what I was expected to say and not say, do and not do according to the situation.

I had so many stories and rules about what is right and wrong, good and bad. And yes, they are just made up stories. They are just circumstances. Stories and circumstances that were holding me back. Constraining me. Preventing me from really experiencing my value of Freedom.

Now I realise that the only person who can actually constrain me is….. um, well, it’s ME. Freedom is actually a choice. I can choose to set myself free.

So I decided to step into Freedom and really live according to that value. Really live it.

Say what Freedom wants to say and do what Freedom wants to do.

There are times when it is easy. I’ve been saying what I think and it’s compelling. My wants and needs are being met. Freedom means being free from beating myself up when I get things wrong. What a relief it is to let go of that! It was exhausting.

There are times when it has been difficult. Freedom means being truly authentic every moment of every day. I’ve spoken the truth, said what I wanted to say and sometimes it has been contrary to the popular opinion. That feels uncomfortable for me. It can feel isolating. And yet liberating too. I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone a few times. I’ve done things that I was previously afraid to do. I did what I wanted to do. I showed up. I owned who I really am (including the things I don’t like about myself) and that’s liberating.  That’s what freedom looks and feels like for me.

What does Freedom look like for you?

What do you say and do differently when you honour your Freedom?

For me, Freedom means speaking the truth, the whole truth and being ok with the consequences. Being free to express myself, knowing that not everyone will get me. Knowing that I may fail. Knowing that I have the resources to handle any situation, including rejection, failure.

It’s funny how we can be so sure of how we are behaving until someone holds up a mirror and shows us a completely different picture. Now I know what freedom really looks like, I am stepping into it even more. The path is bumpy and I am falling over. I pick myself up, dust myself down and carry on through the messiness of this amazing journey called Life.

Just as importantly, I now know when I am constraining my freedom and I know that that is no longer ok for me. That requires a change in behaviour that is not always easy. I’m noticing when I’m holding back and learning what holds me back. I know I will fail at this many times.

I’m willing to fail for the sake of living a life that is free. Are you?

Putting it into practice

1. Step into Freedom for 2 weeks. Speak your truth. Say what you want to say. Do what you want to do.
2. When is it easy?When is it difficult?
3. What is the impact on your life?
4. Notice when you hold yourself back. What are the stories you make up that hold you back?

Let me know how you get on by posting your comments below.

With love,
Jude. x

Related posts:

1. Is the fear of rejection running your life?
2. Choose to set yourself free
3. Speaking your truth