Do you want more freedom this year?

“You are only as free as you think you are and freedom will always be as real as you believe it to be.” – Robert M. Drake

Cultivating freedom in your life isn’t necessarily about having complete freedom from things, but about finding more freedom within them. 

Learn to make room. Learn to let go.

Find & create greater freedom in more areas of your being and existence with these tips:

Freedom in Your Schedule

Stop doing things just because you think you should or because somebody told you to. Say “no” to the unnecessary things you don’t feel like doing. Even better, say “no” to many of the things you do feel like doing! Overscheduling appointments and commitments, constantly being “on the go” and not making space for family, friends, hobbies or downtime is more than enough to create stress, anxiety, and burnout. While we should indeed attend to our responsibilities and obligations, as well as our passions and relationships, our hectic culture, business mindset, and pressures put upon us by others, has many of us feeling frazzled. Try to be more intentional with your time. Rather than endless doom-scrolling, try a walk in the park. Instead of zoning out while binge-watching a new series, call a friend. Find more room for the people and things you enjoy (as well as for rest and recovery) by placing priorities on things that absolutely must get done, as well as editing in time for some fun and relaxation. By planning and doing less, you create room and opportunity to experience and enjoy more.

Freedom in Your Finances

Cancel accounts and subscriptions for anything you aren’t utilizing on a regular basis. Eat out less, and make meals at home instead. Use coupons and take advantages of sales (for items you were planning on purchasing anyway). Download apps specifically designed to help you save or get cash back on purchases. Buy second-hand or make trades when possible. Cut out any unnecessary spending. When considering spending, especially on a large purchase, take at least a week or two to really think about the cost. If and where possible, cut costs by doing things yourself that you usually go to a professional for (nails, hair, etc.). Use the money saved to pay towards debt, or put the extra money into a savings account. 

Freedom in Your Home

If possible, cleaning, organizing, and clearing out should be done seasonally. Purge unnecessary belongings. Clear your home of any items you neither love nor use. Eliminate any unneeded duplicate items that take up space (pots and pans, or excess blankets, for example). Clear out your closets of items you haven’t touched in over a year and have no plans to wear. Organize and unclutter items you use on a regular basis. Find storage solutions that are both functional and appealing to the eye, or store items out of sight.  Make space in your life for peace and joy.

“Sure sign of spiritual growth:
You want more freedom and less stuff.”
– Lisa Villa Prosen

Freedom in Discomfort

We can’t promise to take your pain away, nor can we promise complete and total healing. But we can offer tips to decrease discomfort and tightness, and hopefully make life more manageable and enjoyable. For many, tightness and discomfort can be eased or managed through therapies such as Massage, CranioSacral Therapy, Chiropractic, Lymphatic Drainage, and Acupuncture. Stretching and Exercising, as well as Physical Therapy, can aid in decreasing tightness, strengthening muscles, ligaments and tendons, improving posture, and increasing flexibility. Sometimes creams, lotions, and balms such as BioFreeze, RealTime Pain Relief or Trauma Oil can help ease muscle and joint pain. Hot therapy or cold packs may reduce pain and inflammation, especially after a muscle strain. Vitamin and herb supplements have the potential to reduce nerve pain (B vitamins), reduce inflammation (turmeric), or aid digestion and overall health (probiotics and prebiotics). Often a combined treatment utilizing several different options work best. Ask a qualified health professional what options are available to you. 

Freedom in Depression & Anxiety

One of the most essential things you can do for you is to stay present in the here and now; leave what’s in the past behind you, and don’t glance more than a few moments into the future. This life is meant to be lived and enjoyed moment by moment. Remember how things have worked out for you in the past? There’s no reason that can’t be the case now. Trust that everything will be okay. Take one step at a time. And practice gratitude, which reminds us of our blessings and all the good that surrounds us, rewiring the brain to see opportunity and positivity more often.

Still struggling? You’re not alone. Depression and Anxiety are prevalent in our society. Seek out counseling, try mild exercising and meditation, and have your doctor check you for vitamin deficiencies, sleep issues, and thyroid conditions, which can create or exacerbate symptoms for some people. And don’t give up! There’s always hope for a better tomorrow.

Freedom in Your Thinking

The best way to free up your thinking (other than the above) is to learn to not care anymore about what anyone else thinks. A wise person once said ” what someone else thinks of you is none of your business”. When we let go of those critical voices of others and their expectations, we’re better able to focus on improving what we think of ourselves. Further, let go of any self-doubt, envy, frustrations, anger or fear you may be harboring, and learn to speak kindly to and about yourself. Start building yourself up by speaking positive affirmations over yourself out loud every morning, and anytime those critical voices creep back up.

“The less you worry about what others think, the more freedom you will have.
Stop worrying. Start living.”

Other ways to surrender & find more freedom in your life include:

• Detach from outcome and focus on progress. Progress > Perfection
Perfection is never attainable, while progress is constant.

• Don’t be so critical of yourself and others. We all need a little more patience and understanding. Be gentle. Practice forgiveness.

• Let go of the need to control things. It’s a false concept anyway.  Things will happen. Life will go on. It’s okay.

• Practice mindfulness and self-care. Breathe deeply. Focus on yourself more.

• Detach from toxic or abusive relationships. Love from a distance. Create space in your life for healthy connections.

• Just let things be and “go with the flow”, taking each day moment by moment.

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“Freedom is control of your own life.”

Ultimately, freedom is a concept of perspective; if you believe you are free, then so you are. And the more you believe you are, the more choices you will make, the more actions you will take, to reflect that freedom.

Live free.