Is total freedom over oneself necessary for being happy?

[laly520]

could it lead to the opposite or even self destruction?

Updates

+1 y

Freedom over oneself refers to the ability of an individual to exercise autonomy and self-governance in their thoughts, actions, and decisions without undue influence or coercion from external forces.

[Rosexøxø]

If someone is going by/ living by/ striving by other people’s standards- verbal ones and non verbal ones- then they will look to those same sources/people for some type of approval or simply observe them and then compare themselves- deciding if it (their life (style) mirrors close enough. And this means having goals, not really their own, and trying to accomplish unwanted goals- or non-authentic goals. They’re superficial, calloused, and not genuine.

Even if they accomplish those things, they may never be truly happy because after possibly accomplishing it or those, the person will realize- IDEALLY- that those goals were not what they had wanted all along, to begin with.

All in vain. All vanity.

Even if their lives don’t EXACTLY mirror the other person or people, who are influencing, persuading, or coercing, the initial person will still be unhappy because of thinking they have more STILL, to do. Satisfaction is never met, so instead of realizing and changing the goal or adopting a new one, they will try harder and harder or in various ways to accomplish it. Intensifying- so to speak- their efforts and such, to mirror the other person or people.

An intentional person who has their own goals, free of influence of other people, they can be happy when they accomplish it. They should be happy as well in the midst of their own progress (es).

Also, I just want to say, it’s very RARE, that someone is completely free of all external influence from society and the people they cultivate relationship (s) with.

This person you describe is a rare one. Many claim to be different and were indeed unique, but we all adopt certain things decidedly and/or subconsciously. You have to be head strong and intentional, in order to be satisfied with the progress you make, heading towards those REAL goals. I think we as a social species and people do adopt mannerisms and entire beliefs of others, in various ways.

I think the “ignorance is bliss” can be testified here, and fits a bit. People can still be happy if they don’t realize their goals in life are a mixture of real wants and silly wants they developed due to mindfulness of others or a covering of/over others.

[Rosexøxø]

TOTAL is not necessary. SOME is a GREAT start. I think either way, all people should strive to have total freedom and decision over their lives. Doing some things with or for others out of compassion and bonding can be okay, but use freedom for that. Not following any manipulation, evil things, or doing things that also drain you/that person.

[Rosexøxø]

That’s my official answer^ that comment under my original post. Also, I hope this helps in some way. Or made some ounce of sense.

[Rosexøxø]

Nice question too!

[laly520]

very welcome🌸

[IslaTheWitch]

even if we are in the relationships we are still individual beings with own thoughts, experiences, likes and dislikes...

I believe a total freedom is a right, but we decide to limit ourselves when we want to be close with others, then we consider others needs, boundaries, likes...

there is a saying that my freedom ends where your begins... and we have to be aware, that in our society the total freedom doesn't exist, by choice... we are social creatures

[NathanDavis]

I don't even think that exist...

the moment you build a bond with someone... there's an intrinsic "tie" with that someone and then you're not really "free" of this tie, dynamic, bond...

which I do personally think is a great thing, love is the best example of it... and if we were to be completely and absolutely free of any bond then we would not be able to experience this kind of greatness

I would not want that either, lol

[laly520]

on point as well!

[NathanDavis]

very nice questions as well (+

[laly520]

🌸🌸

[abc3643]

Yes (*).

For being TRULY happy and not bullshitting yourself, yes.

(*) HOWEVER, some people have very strong biological instincts to procreate and, if they do not, they are not happy. Of course, having kids drastically cuts down on freedom.

[laly520]

pretty interesting point of view 🌸

[abc3643]

Born out of decades of experience.
I didn't realize it but, in a way, the happiest I ever was was when I was 36 and living alone and having a paycheck and in a stable job. I was sad because I was still devastated by my ex-GF who left me 7 years earlier.

[abc3643]

Then I met my wife in sort of an accident. No dating; straight living together. I lost my freedom and my money and I've been dying for 25 years.

[laly520]

I'm sorry u had to go through all of that🌸

[Roxy0050]

Very cool question.

Also depending exactly what freedom you mean, for example I am assuming the freedom is not so total that the society everyone lives in is totally lawless in support of everyone's right to freedom while disregarding human safety and survival needs.

I suspect that the answer differs for every single human being on the planet. I suspect further that total freedom might be too much for most people if they really drilled down deep.

However, for some people the answer would definitely be a true and resounding yes to total freedom. Even given the possibility that this freedom may lead to self- or other destruction, still it is totally necessary for happiness for a small group of people.

And then for some people, they may need total freedom for total happiness but be able to be very happy with a degree of freedom which falls short of total freedom, happy enough to consider themselves happy..

[laly520]

glad u've found the question cool 🌸

[laly520]

also very interesting opinion!

[Chazmatazz269]

For me, yes. What is right for me isn’t necessarily what’s right for everyone.
That’s probably the biggest problem with modern politics. Everyone wants to dictate to others how to live, but nobody wants to be dictated to. Ell oh ell!

[laly520]

totally!

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

“Total freedom over oneself” isn’t very clear.


Do you mean “total freedom from the self” meaning the death of the ego, or do you mean “total freedom of oneself” meaning you hold no inhibitions?

[laly520]

update🌸

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

What you described is critical thinking skills, the ability to form one’s opinion based on their own thoughts and experiences without external influences creating biases in their mind.

[laly520]

nice add🌸

[Mysel]

Do you mean that you can do whatever you want? In this case, would you trust yourself that you wouldn't do bad things? Do you mean that you are completely alone, so no one can tell you what to do? In this case, what if you would find yourself in a situation in which you absolutely need the help of someone else and/or what if you start to feel lonely?

Sorry for my bad English by the way

[laly520]

its fine idc about correct English n grammar🌸
also I like the way u thought of question!

[Mysel]

Thank you

[laly520]

🌸🌸

[Unit1]

Obviously.

The ability to say NO to whatever the matrix tells you to do (e. g. get the COVID-19 jab and be happy with having nothing but meme coins and anime porn) is paramount.

[laly520]

did u ever try to escape the matrix

[Unit1]

Not yet. I have faltered a few times but that's what I get for being born broke.
I'm making my way out of it slowly though. I may have an actual way out of it.

[laly520]

good luck with it🌸

[Unit1]

Cheers

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Freedom is necessary but not total freedom. Too much of anything is not good and that includes freedom. Someone being too free just end up getting bored. There just has to be balance of freedom and sacrifice.

[laly520]

I totally agree with u on that

[Anonymous]

no because it brings too much chaos. order is still needed to restrict total freedoms

otherwise we'd have crimes being committed everywhere in the streets

[laly520]

indeed
total freedom is too much chaos

[Dongie]

Yes, for full happiness as long as your choices and opportunities present themselves. I don't think many have experienced this and nobody has had it their whole life.

[laly520]

pretty interesting

[Dongie]

Thanks.

[laly520]

🌸🌸🌸

[Dongie]

🌹🌹🌹

[Juxtapose]

You already have freedom of choice from a predetermined set of options because that's just how reality is.

[laly520]

on point

[rosemilk]

freedom is what everyone seeks. who would want to be essentially a slave, limiting their own happiness? i guess it's not necessary, but it is a BIG part of being independent.

[Sonorous]

True freedom is impossible. To be is to be confined. It's the only way we're able to discern meaning.

[TonyMetal___86]

Before marriage you have total freedom over yourself but after marriage no!
Well everything in this life has it's ups and downs!
In the end, it all goes back to what you choose or prefer in this life!

[ProbablyClueless]

No. Miserable people are going to find a way to be miserable, regardless of their circumstances.

[Anonymous]

You either have control over yourself or someone else has control over you. You would need to assume they are more interested in your well being than their own and that their judgement is better than yours for you to be better off.

that is rather hard to do unless their like your parent who's interest depends on your success and your a kid.

[RavVid]

Is total freedom total sexual freedon, total sexual freedom or something else?

[Dargil]

Self Destruction. Look at Caligula. That's where absolute freedom goes.

[Staximus]

If the person can handle the responsibility without destroying themselves or turning into a piece of shit. Not everybody can.

[LiamS95]

Freedom to me is to be in a very happy and successful healthy relationship where we can both totally be ourselves and deeply in love.

[Snakeyes7]

I think it depends on the person. Some are happier being told what to do and some are happier carving their own path.

[andreasderjuengere]

It is NOT necessary.

I know of mindless consumerists who are at their happiest when they are firmly in the grips of commerce.

[Anonymous]

What does freedom over oneself even mean?

[laly520]

update🌸

[Bklynbadboy12]

I think it is how can you be happy if you not free

[laly520]

hmm good question!

[Wise4myage]

Yes, that makes sense to me.