Why Freedom Is Overrated

“The constant desire for more freedom ironically limits us in a number of ways. Similarly, it’s only by limiting ourselves — by choosing and committing to certain things in life — that we truly exercise our freedom.”
~ Mark Manson

Freedom. Such a loaded term and means something potentially different to each and every one of us. I should start by saying that I love freedom. It’s something that I value highly and have worked hard to fiercely protect in my life. It’s why I run my own business and why I have lived and travelled in many places around the world. However, I’ve come to understand that too much freedom, without constraint (paradoxical I know, but bear with me), is damaging and in the long term can be the very thing that sabotages that freedom we hold so dear.

I am primarily talking about freedom within the context of business but for sure this idea can be applied more widely. If you read much of the hype around building an online business these days, you’ll hear a lot of talk about freedom. Freedom to work in your PJs, freedom to work whenever you want and wherever you want (including the beach, despite how impractical that clearly is). Then there is the freedom to work on whatever you feel inspired by and with whoever you feel like, I could go on but you get the idea. Work for yourself and the promises of freedom are plentiful.