“Freedom from something is not freedom.” – Jiddu Krishnamurti

We often associate freedom with external circumstances. We think: Let’s escape the 9-to-5 jobs. Let’s break free from office constraints, national work requirements, unchosen colleagues, bosses, or even the “matrix” itself. Yes, we aim for financial freedom, location freedom, time freedom, and life freedom. But does this truly bring the liberation we crave? Or is it merely an illusion that blinds us to more profound questions within ourselves?

We fail to see that none of this external freedom will lead us to a better version of ourselves if we don’t first cultivate inner freedom—the freedom to be unapologetically ourselves, our own authority. No matter where we are, external freedom will not satisfy if we remain trapped by invisible pressures: the need to be someone, to be somewhere, or to meet vague expectations.

No amount of external freedom can cure our deepest fears, dismantle our limiting beliefs, or transform how we handle our emotions. External freedom can provide opportunities and the space to explore, but without inner freedom, these opportunities remain underutilized.

In chasing external freedom, we often neglect the work on ourselves. This can push us into a never-ending loop of pursuit, mistaking movement for progress. Meanwhile, the vital journey inward—to understand our minds and reconnect with our essence—is overlooked. Why? Because this inner work is rarely as glamorous or marketable as working on a beach, in the mountains, or from a cozy hotel in pajamas with a cup of coffee in hand.

Inner freedom isn’t about the setting or the accessories—it simply is. Whether in the mountains, on the beach, in an office, or at home in pajamas or a suit, with coffee or without, inner freedom is within us.

True freedom cannot exist without inner freedom. Achieving inner freedom requires transformation—a shift from who we think we should be into who we truly want to be, for ourselves, not for others.

In a world overflowing with information—through the internet, books, podcasts, social media, or even tools like ChatGPT—we have endless resources to help us look inward. The more conscious we become about our choices and decisions, the closer we move toward the freedom Krishnamurti spoke of.

I remember when I embarked on this journey, I was ignorant in a way. I believed that freedom of time, money, and location would nourish me and quench my hunger for a meaningful life. I misinterpreted discipline as a barrier to freedom, ignoring the obvious: the need to explore my inner life. My limiting beliefs, my perspectives, my hidden potential—these all waited to be uncovered.

It was then that I realized true freedom doesn’t mean living without discipline, routines, or boundaries. On the contrary, these are essential to truly enjoy life. This journey wasn’t a quick fix. It didn’t take a night, a week, or even a year. And it’s not “finished”—it never will be. Our inner world constantly interacts with the external. But it’s worth it.

Why? Because when we understand that freedom is more than the ability to go wherever we want, whenever we want, life begins to offer an abundance we’ve always had before us but failed to see.

We discover new joy, a deeper sense of creation in everyday life, and an unshakable connection to our inner power—the creator within us. No amount of external freedom can replace that.

How to Start the Work

How do we break free from the endless loop of chasing?

1, Sit down and reflect on freedom.

• What does external freedom mean to you?
• What does inner freedom mean to you?

2, Focus on inner freedom. To reach that state:

• What needs to happen in your life?
• What can you do to make it happen?
• How committed are you to achieving it?

3, Ask yourself:

• Who do I need to become to experience the freedom I desire?
• What are my days like as this person? How do I speak, feel, and act? Who is around me?
  Visualize this version of yourself. Feel it. Be that person.

4, Identify:

• What must I learn to become this person?
• What habits, beliefs, or situations must I leave behind?
• What already supports me in this journey?

Seek guidance: books, podcasts, mentors, or supportive people.

5, Take the first step.

• What is the first small action I can take now to become that person?
• When will I take that first step?

Make this exercise a regular practice. Turn it into a routine.

And always remember:

True external freedom cannot exist without inner freedom.