The Illusion of Freedom: Breaking Free from ‘One Day…’ Thinking

People who dream of independence and the freedom to do anything they desire often cling to an illusion, starting with phrases like "One day I will…" or "When the kids grow up…", "When I lose weight...", "When I get divorced or find a partner," thinking that’s when life will truly begin. They believe that, at the moment, there’s an obstacle standing in their way—and that obstacle, of course, isn’t themselves or their own mindset. Many people are deeply influenced by Walt Disney stories, movie plots, and polished social media narratives, believing that “...one day, without any extra effort, freedom will simply arrive” in their lives. To them, freedom means unlimited finances, love, and boundless opportunities—a holy trinity, so to speak.

However, here’s the catch: this "trinity" or any of its other dream-like manifestations won’t just materialize without the individual’s consistent, disciplined, and focused action. Real change would happen the moment a person starts working towards it. Here’s an example to illustrate this. Imagine you have the thickest tree in your garden and an axe in your hand. Could you cut it down in one day? All by yourself, without any help? But what if, every single day, you went out and struck that tree trunk ten times with powerful blows? Would you believe then that you’d eventually manage to bring it down on your own? Yes, it would require you to work at it daily. With each strike, you’d get closer to the result; you’d get stronger, and the discipline and routine would produce results, even if your faith in the process occasionally wavers.

So, if you want to move forward, you need to restrict your freedom—yes, limit your freedom. Simply put, you need to push yourself to do what you’ve decided, allocate time for it, and get accustomed to routine. The pursuit of goals and freedom are two opposing concepts. Therefore, instead of spending time trying to undo the lingering influence of W. Disney ideals, it’s important to draw a new line, think less, and develop firm steps within yourself. The mind will always adapt; it’s you who regulates your mind on a neural level by building habits and thoughts. Personal beliefs and feelings shape our behavior, and the only way to change them is by introducing discipline, even if just in small doses.