I sold my studio condo in Hawai’i. I know. Seems crazy. Feels…AMAZING.
Something a lot of us get totally ass-backwards is that we think Freedom has a “look.” Usually one that’s very IG-able. And trust me – I had lots of epic IG photos from my studio;) And also trust me that it was very very freeing for a very very long time.
In fact, I was struggling with deep depression when I first moved there, and that tiny 400 sqft studio probably saved my life, along with the calming ocean, ti plant, sacred fan palm, and other beings of the more-than-human world that surrounded me.
So I want to share with you why I would do something crazy like sell a perfect little oceanfront studio condo on the most beloved of islands.
We’ve been conditioned to believe that it means location independence, or running a 6-figure business from a hammock in Bali (or Hawai’i ;). Or having a place in the wilds and a fancy zero-inbox routine.
But here’s the thing – none of that matters if you don’t feel free on the inside.
Freedom is actually a F E E L I N G.
And if you’re chasing the outer signs without checking in on how it feels, you might wake up one day with the “dream” life—and realize it doesn’t feel like yours anymore.
My studio was the definition of “living the dream” for me. And while it used to feel like freedom and expansion, things started to shift. The HOA turned toxic, the fees climbed, and renting it out 6 months a year felt like another job (as if I don’t have enough LOL!), and Hawaiians started facing even more oppressive housing situations.
I had poured a ton of energy into maintaining this vision of self-care and freedom. But the feeling of freedom had left the building.
And I had to get really honest: was I keeping this place because it still aligned with how I wanted to feel? Or because it checked some old box of what I thought freedom was supposed to look like… or what it used to look like?
So I made a difficult decision: time to let it go.
Freedom isn’t just about having choices. It’s about recognizing when a choice you made in the past no longer serves who you are now.
You’re allowed to evolve, to change your mind, to say “this no longer feels like freedom” and choose again.
Freedom is dynamic, not static.
And letting go is sometimes the most liberating move we can make.
When we get too rigid about what freedom is “supposed” to look like, we miss the invitation to go deeper. To tune into what freedom feels like in our nervous system. In our breath. In our ability to rest. In our ability to say no without guilt.
That’s true liberation.
I find it helpful to remember that there are two sides to freedom: Freedom TO and freedom FROM.
Freedom TO create, speak, rest, explore…
And freedom FROM burnout, toxic environments and relationships, oppression, unnecessary stress…
We need both.
It may look like cancelling a retreat you were totally stoked for because your kid needs you (I did that twice already this year!). Or deleting social media from your phone for your mental health (check!). Or earning less money this quarter because you’re protecting your energy (check!).
And it might not look impressive to the outside world. But inside? You’ll feel it. That deep exhale. That sense of being in your own skin. That calm knowing: I’m living life on my terms.
Because rebels, if it doesn’t FEEL like freedom, it’s not.
And life’s too short to fake it.
You will learn:
// What freedom ACTUALLY is (and what it isn’t)
// How to know when it’s time to let go
// The two sides to freedom
// How freedom isn’t just personal – it’s collective
Resources:
// Episode 21: Define Your Freedom
// Episode 35: True Freedom
// Episode 136: Freedom to Change Your Mind
// If you’re new to the squad, grab the Rebel Buddhist Toolkit I created at RebelBuddhist.com. It has all you need to start creating a life of more freedom, adventure, and purpose. You’ll also get access to the Rebel Buddhist private group, and tune in every Wednesday as I go live with new inspiration and topics.
// Want something more self-paced with access to weekly group support and getting coached by yours truly? Check out Freedom School – the community for ALL things related to freedom, inside and out. We dive into taking wisdom and applying it to our daily lives, with different topics every month. Learn more at JoinFreedomSchool.com. I can’t wait to see you there!
// Have you benefited from even one episode of the Rebel Buddhist Podcast? I’d love it if you could leave a 5-star review on iTunes by clicking here or on Spotify by clicking here.