Lately, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the concept of personal freedom—what it truly means and how it shows up in our lives. There are countless ways to experience it, whether it’s through doing fulfilling work, having the flexibility to take time off, traveling, feeling financially secure, or simply being able to jump in the car and go wherever you please.
Personal freedom can also be found in the ability to speak your truth, live in a clutter-free space, or even downsize your belongings to create more ease. It’s a deeply personal concept, unique to each of us, yet undeniably essential.
More and more, I’m hearing from people who feel completely overwhelmed—by work, commitments, and the sheer pace of life. They’re juggling endless meetings, projects, volunteer roles, and social obligations, all while managing a household and keeping up with their kids' activities. Recently, a woman confided in me that she was questioning her entire career after receiving some harsh feedback. Others have shared the emotional weight they feel from the clutter in their homes, as if their surroundings are pressing in on them.
At the core of these struggles is a common thread: lacking a sense of personal freedom.
And here’s the tricky part—when overwhelm takes over, the very things that could restore a sense of freedom tend to be the first to go. Eating well, moving our bodies, getting enough sleep, taking time for self-care—all of it slowly slides to the back burner. Over time, this can turn into a mindset of "why bother?"—as if making an effort won’t change anything anyway.
As these patterns take hold, energy dips, motivation fades, and overall happiness starts to dwindle.
Consider these scenarios:
Scenario 1: Your workdays are jam-packed with meetings, leaving you no time to actually do your work. Your boss piles on new projects—some that aren’t even in your job description—while your one-on-ones always seem to run out of time before you can voice concerns. So, once again, you take work home, skip your workout and social plans, and stay up late trying to catch up. It’s fine, you tell yourself—it’s only temporary. Right?
Scenario 2: Your closets and cabinets are overflowing—you’re not even sure what’s in them anymore. You still haven’t sorted through your late aunt’s belongings, and six loads of laundry are waiting. You need toilet paper, so you grab the jumbo pack, but there’s nowhere to put it. Meanwhile, with nothing clean to wear for an event, you buy a new outfit instead of tackling the laundry. Now you have TP stacked in the hallway, a fresh outfit, and the same six loads of laundry still undone.
Scenario 3: Your evenings are a blur of committee meetings and kid activities, so you grab whatever food you can between stops. You joke that “being on the go” is your exercise, but deep down, you know it’s not. You feel exhausted most of the time, and your clothes are fitting tighter. Instead of making a change, you buy new pants and agree to yet another committee—because, of course, no one else would step up.
Scenario 4: You were all set to move to another state with a friend, excited for a fresh start. But recently, opportunities have opened up where you are—ones that align with your long-term goals. You feel torn, but instead of speaking up, you keep quiet, worried about disappointing your friend. Then one day, they call to say they found a place on their own and don’t need a roommate after all. Relief washes over you, but so does the realization—you could have just been honest from the start.
What resonated most with you? Was there one scenario that hit home, or bits of each? Either way, you’re not alone.
In every example, overwhelm buried personal freedom. Some brought in more of what was causing the stress, while others lost sight of their own dreams and truth.
It’s easy to get caught in the routine of daily life, barely realizing how much time has passed. And let’s be honest—speaking our truth can feel scary. Our minds create worst-case scenarios, and survival mode kicks in. I just need to get through this one time. Sound familiar? But these patterns chip away at our freedom.
So, what can you do?
Take a moment to check in with yourself. Are you happy or unhappy? Fulfilled or just going through the motions? In flow or overwhelmed? Expansive or contracted? What feels right or off-track?
Then, dig deeper:
How did I get here?
What am I doing to stay in this cycle? What am I avoiding?
What can I start—or stop—doing to change course?
Where do I actually want to go?
Change requires honesty. You have to name it, face it, and take action. The good news? It’s your life. You make the decisions.
Yes, I know—you’re thinking about your partner, boss, kids, friends, your neighbor’s dog. And, of course, have bills to pay and work that really does need to be done. But seriously—what’s the worst that would happen if you started saying no, not right now, or maybe another time?
What if you paused committee work until you found an exercise routine that feels good? What if you had an open, honest conversation with your manager about your workload instead of silently taking on more? What if you spent a month buying only essentials, clearing space instead of adding to the clutter?
And what if you stopped internalizing feedback that doesn’t serve you? Not all criticism is truth—sometimes it’s just someone else’s own challenges. One of the greatest freedoms is choosing what to carry and what to let go.
I could list endless ways to shift things, but the real question is: If you’re lacking a sense of personal freedom, what choices will help you reclaim it?
No action is too small as long as it’s supportive of the direction that you want to be going!
Enjoy the journey,
Julie
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