Why Complete Freedom Is a Bad Idea

There are people who believe in complete freedom; the freedom to act as they want, do what they want, and behave however they choose, without any regard for the future or the consequences of their actions. 

To them, it doesn’t matter what comes to mind; they do it because it "feels good," because they want to in the moment, and because, as they say, "the future isn’t guaranteed anyway."

Many of these individuals often throw around phrases like "life is too short," interpreting it as a green light to do anything and everything without careful consideration. In their view, since time is limited, we should rush through life, doing whatever we feel like because, well, life is short.

However, anyone who has paid attention to the lives of those who didn’t care about their choices; who acted impulsively because it felt good in the moment, can easily see that this kind of lifestyle is often filled with regret later on.

People end up regretting poor choices: neglecting their health, making decisions they later wish they hadn’t, and failing to exercise restraint. If you take even the smallest effort to listen to older people or seek advice from those with experience, they'll often emphasize the importance of making thoughtful decisions, practicing patience, and being cautious in life.

Unfortunately, a culture seems to be emerging that encourages people to chase experiences without much thought, as if mindless indulgence is the way to truly live.

This is how some people end up addicted to things they wouldn’t have been if they had stopped to think; because, well, it felt good to try it the first time.

Now, this isn’t to say we should live in fear of seizing the moment or that we shouldn’t take time to enjoy life and have meaningful experiences. 

By all means, we should live fully! Travel, socialize, and have fun. The purpose of this post isn’t to discourage anyone from being happy and enjoying life; life is meant to be enjoyed!

However, the real point here is that while life is meant to be enjoyed, it should be enjoyed with a dose of common sense. Sometimes, we need to make sacrifices, endure short-term discomfort, or take actions now that may not be immediately gratifying but will lead to a better future. We must think, plan, and take control of the areas in our lives that require it.

Enjoying life doesn’t mean we should act like fools who just do whatever we feel like. It means we think carefully, take precautions, and make decisions that will allow us to experience life more fully and meaningfully in the long run.

Of course, I realize that this article might not resonate with everyone. Some may think, WTF is he saying? I’ll do whatever I want and enjoy my life without thinking about the consequences.

By all means, go ahead! If living without thought helps you sleep better at night, then forgive me for wasting your time.

But if you feel there’s some truth in what I’m saying, I encourage you to develop the habit of thoughtfulness and self-restraint. It pays off in the long run and puts you in the best position (mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically) to truly enjoy life as you’re meant to.

Just as we, as children, resisted eating our veggies or taking bitter medicine because they didn’t taste good, our caregivers made us do these things for our own health and well-being.

Now, as adults fully responsible for our own lives, it only makes sense that we recognize some things may not feel good in the moment but are good for us in the long run. Likewise, some things may feel great right now but will make our lives worse in the future.

So, let’s be wise in our choices, even as we enjoy life to the fullest.

Keep winning!