There are people walking around right now who have been given a calling, a mission: to live a life of freedom. And today, I’m going to tell you if you’re one of them.

And how do I know? I know because I did it. I broke the matrix almost exactly one year ago when I declined to get another awful job that was killing my soul, and instead I moved to Mexico to live a life of freedom.

Imagine waking up and feeling a sense of complete liberation. Not just the freedom from an alarm clock or a demanding boss, but a deeper, more profound sense of autonomy. Personal freedom isn’t a destination—it’s really a journey to self-discovery.

Do you remember that feeling? Maybe you felt it as a kid or a teenager. No encumbrances, the world was your oyster.

1. You’re Constantly Curious About the World

You might be like me: always dreaming about travel and other cultures. Constantly asking “What’s out there?” Pouring over maps, atlases and travel blogs.  While others seem content with the same old routine you want to know, and go, and to experience, more!

If it lights you up to read about street markets in Marrakech or mountain villages in Peru, if documentaries aren’t just background noise for you – they’re windows into entire worlds waiting to be explored.

You’re not just curious – you’re hungry. Hungry to understand, to experience, to truly know the world in all its beautiful, complex diversity, and see life through an ever expanding lens.

2. Conventional Success Doesn’t Excite You

Sure, we all want success and comfort and security, but many of us feel restless in traditional career paths. Stifled in the corporate world. 

I was never really interested in climbing the ladder in nursing, getting the next promotion or making another $3 an hour. You might be the same way: more interested in experiences than material possessions. The idea of success isn’t the rat race, it’s personal growth resulting from adventure and exploration!

Sure, it’s nice to have comfortable surroundings but You don’t need the latest “Lambo” and the thought of status symbols like that turn you off.

3. You Embrace Discomfort and Change

Ok, the word embrace is a little strong. But if you’re restless for change and don’t mind occasional unusual sleeping arrangements, you might know what I mean!

True freedom lovers get energized by new and unpredictable situations! My heart is beating faster just thinking about it!  Obstacles can be chances for personal transformation, and trying on a new perspective can lead to revelations!

Is it worth the 10 hour flight on a sardine plane? Yes!

4. Financial Independence Becomes Your Priority

When you know what you want, a life of freedom and exploration, you try to set up your life, and your income, for this purpose.  I wish I had realized this at a younger age. 

Actively working to create multiple income streams when necessary, you invest your time and money into your skills, over things to accumulate. You know that money is a tool for freedom, not just survival.

It’s no problem to forego an amazon shipment of junk you don’t need in order to build your funds for what really matters. 

You’re interested in work that is not only fulfilling and inspiring for you, and valuable for the world, but also that you can do from anywhere and on your own terms. 

5.  Minimalism Calls to Your Soul

It’s quality not quantity, people! Whether you are a true minimalist, or you just like to be able to go at a moment’s notice, you know you feel lighter when you own less.

You understand that true wealth is the ability to choose, and the freedom to not be bogged down by endless things you have to take care of. Because you find joy in experiences, not possessions.

Plus it’s a valuable skill to pack your life into a backpack 😉

6. You Have a Strong Internal Compass

Whether it took years to really know yourself and know your own wants and needs, or you were born that way, you make decisions based on your own personal values.

This is another one I wish I had learned about younger. It’s easy to be swayed by external validation and society’s expectations, but you’re willing to go against the grain, trust your intuition, and do what you need to do.

When you make decisions aligned with your inner truth, they can bring a sense of peace and rightness, even when they’re difficult. Decisions made mostly to please others or conform to external expectations often leave a lingering sense of discord, even when they seem logical on paper.

It took me getting to 57 years old to do this. It took me getting to the end of my rope to really listen and trust what I truly wanted. 

7. Calm confidence during life transitions 

You trust your ability to navigate changes, even difficult ones.  Every transition in life can be uncomfortable, even the good ones. When things get tough you know you can handle it.  This is one I’m still working on.

There are many expressions of freedom, from devoting your time to your interests, like art and music, to developing spiritual practices that nurture you instead of fitting into traditional ways. Having freedom means you can deal with difficult times in the ways that suit you best.

The essence of freedom isn’t what you do with it, but that the choices stem from your authentic self rather than external pressures or expectations.

8. You need to tell the truth

I saved this one for last because it’s so important.  Whether it’s what you think the next right action is, your feelings about a subject, or disputing an unfairness or an injustice, you feel the need to NOT tow the company line, or the party line, or whatever line is being shoved down your throat.

Living with the constant pressure to suppress the truth for survival—especially in a corporate or high-stakes environment—can take a deep toll, both mentally and emotionally. 

Over time, the dissonance between what you know to be true and what you are forced to say (or avoid saying) creates inner conflict. This cognitive dissonance can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. 

Over time, it can also lead to cynicism, numbness, and resentment, as you watch less honest (but more politically savvy) people thrive while you struggle with the burden of authenticity. Many people in this position eventually reach a breaking point—either leaving the environment altogether, speaking out despite the risks, or shutting down emotionally to cope. I saw a lot of that in the hospital setting where I worked for so many years.

You don’t need to speak all the time, but you know that the suppression of the truth, or lying, over years will turn you into a broken mannequin of yourself. Working or living in a situation that requires not telling the truth, day in and day out, is a deal breaker for you.

The Invisible Barriers

Look around your life right now. What are you tolerating? What situations, relationships, or commitments drain your energy? These are the invisible chains holding you back.

• The job that pays the bills but kills your spirit
• Relationships that feel more like obligations than connections
• Financial commitments that trap you in a cycle of survival
• Societal expectations that suffocate your true self

Courage to choose freedom starts with believing you are worthy of it. And who is worthy? Absolutely everyone. 

It’s not about:

• Your bank account
• Your education level
• Your past mistakes
• Your current circumstances
• Your social status

Worthiness isn’t something you earn. It’s something you recognize. And it’s your birthright.

Your freedom is not a destination. It’s a daily decision.

Start now. Start here. Start with what you have.

Conclusion

If you can relate or see yourself in any of this, then you know: Freedom is a choice, not a destination. I’ve kind of put the emphasis on travel and adventure in this video, but freedom means you can do whatever you want. From intellectual freedom, to home sovereignty and the time to cultivate health for your body and mind. Or the choice to have authentic relationships. It’s your life, on your terms.

I hope these signs you see in yourself are invitations to investigate and design your own path.

Because it’s worth it. Freedom is a feeling that is exhilarating and joyous and makes you grateful to be alive.

I find myself doing the international body language sign of freedom a lot lately..