Freedom is a huge theme in my life. It’s why I started my business. It’s why I’ve dedicated my life to help other women. It’s why I’m happy 98% of the day every day. In fact, feeling free is probably my top core desired feeling (see: Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte), and I make it a complete non-negotiable in my life. Yet, for a long time I didn’t feel free at all, and it really took a toll on my overall happiness and well-being. I had what should have been my “dream job” managing a $45 million/year non-profit but I felt like I was drowning all the time. I felt guilty every time I took a vacation, and usually spent the better part of that vacation checking my phone and answering emails. I knew I was meant for something more, but I had no idea what that was or what that felt like. I just knew there had to be more than the crazy commute, soul-sucking work place politics, and the feeling of never getting it all done.
Here’s the thing, there has become such a myth in the workplace that the busier you are, and the harder you work, and the more you sacrifice the better you are as a person and as an employee. Except, that’s simply never the case. I spent years working way too hard and way too often, and it never made me feel successful. Not only did it not make me feel successful it made me feel downright awful a lot of the time. Freedom is what makes me feel successful, freedom is what makes me feel good, and freedom is the gift that I spend everyday working to give to other women.
There are a growing group of us that are waking up and starting to recognize that FREEDOM IS THE NEW BLACK. We’re no longer after the corner office, the long workday, the Christmas bonus, or the endless meetings. What we desire is the ability to run our business and life on our own terms. Freedom is one of our deepest desires as humans and as a member of the corporate world we are forced to push that desire deep down every single day. Yet, many of us are no longer willing to ignore that desire. We are here to relentlessly pursue it. Happiness no longer means a “stable” 9-5 (do those even exist anymore??), a house bigger than our neighbors, and a yearly vacation. Happiness means chasing our dreams, feeling fulfilled by our passions, and working from a laptop (or phone or tablet) anywhere we damn well please (oh hey waves + sunshine!)
Freedom will never be found in a cubicle or next to the coffee pot in the break room. Freedom will be found when we are absolutely, uncompromisingly committed to making our wildest dreams our reality. Will it be tough? Yes. Will it sometimes require long hours and sacrifices? Yes. But it will be the most worthwhile endeavor of your life because it will cause you to take back your life and claim it as your own.
All my freedom seekers- I wish you well on your journey. I’d love to hear more about where you are in your pursuit of freedom. Comment below or email me at [email protected].