Ahhhh….labels, no matter how free or how much of a control freak you are, it seems somewhere along the way a label gets attached to your character. In this article, we are going to explore the characterization attributed to a free spirit. I have always prided myself on being a free spirit, but lately I began to wonder if I was still one. Can the ups and downs of life zap you of who you truly are? Financial ups and downs, career ups and downs, emotional ups and downs, menopause, had those life encounters taken a toll on my spirit? Sometimes we can all lose our real selves, but a true free spirit understands these setbacks and moves forward and intact with their essence. At times being a free spirit is scary, because you have to let people see the real you. As a free spirit there is no hiding behind social norms. You have to let go of the fear of showing your inner self, and fear is a roadblock so many of us struggle to overcome. When you toss fear to the wind, you will feel more alive, more independent, proud, and you will unblock the forces that keep you from being yourself. I know a free spirit is the correct label for me….are you one too?
The definition of a free spirit:
I read over twenty definitions of a free spirit. There was one word that stood out in all the definitions. That one word is nonconformist.
Webster’s on-line dictionary defines a free spirit as a person who thinks and acts in a free way without worrying about normal social rules.
Trademarks of a free spirit personality:
After reviewing all my research and thinking about my own ideas, I have listed what I ascertained to be the personality of a free spirit.
• A free spirit thinks for him or herself, but only after observing life and researching data, then they come to their own intellectual conclusion.
• A free spirit will honor what they view as right and just. They will not go along with the crowd if they feel it is wrong.
• A free spirit values free choice.
• A free spirit is not judgmental and will seldom have a friend who is.
• A free spirit constantly gets out of their comfort zone; trying new things, testing their boundaries. Impossible is not in their vocabulary, they believe they can do the unattainable.
• A free spirit is not a prisoner of fashion rules.
• A free spirit is accepting of all cultures, races, ages, and sexual orientations.
• They have no favorite colors because to a free spirit, all colors are beautiful.
• A free spirit makes no excuses for who they are. They are comfortable in their own skin.
• A free spirit is creative.
• A free spirit views life in a unique way.
As a free spirit I know I view life in a way that is different than most; however, as a marketing person, that sometimes makes me second guess myself. I often wonder; just because I think, this is an amazing concept for an ad; will the general public see it that way too? The good part of being a free spirit is, if others disagree, I respect their opinion.
The good, the bad, the ugly:
The Good
• A free spirit tends to love life with a passion.
• A free spirit brings interest to the world in the form of their creative natures.
• Even though the free spirit does not always agree with the social norms, they know how to step around them, so they are not constrained, yet they do not offend others.
• A free spirit of good heart can live life on their own terms, without fear of what others think, in a compassionate and understanding way to those around them.
• A free spirit has control over their own life.
The Bad
• A free spirit can be hard for those that love us to understand.
• A free spirit is interested in so many things they tend to drift from one thing to another.
• A free spirit may get the urge to run off and do whatever they want, without thought of the people around them.
• In jobs if they are not the manager or given freedom, they have a hard time being micro-managed…they must have the authority to make their individual decisions, or they will not be a good employee. Given the authority to make their own decisions, they will be a stellar employee.
The Ugly
• The free spirit can be self-absorbed.
• A free spirit of a selfish heart can live life on their own terms, without fear of what others think, and without regard to how their actions may harm another.
• A free spirit may say what is on their mind at the moment and not care about the feelings of others around them.
Conclusion:
In my research, it stated being a free spirit is a choice. I both agree and disagree with that. I believe we have a choice in anything, yet I also believe there is something in our soul we are born with, and it makes us who we are. Both my sister and I are true free spirits, yet we were reared by parents who always worried what would the neighbors think? How did we both come to the same heart of not worrying about the neighbor’s opinion but placing a higher value on our own opinion? My answer is because we were born that way, it is how destiny wanted our paths of life to be directed.
As a free spirit I have found it interesting throughout life that people will embrace my ideas, enjoy listening to my views even though different from their own, yet will be judgmental towards my appearance. I will probably always have long hair because it represents freedom to me. I will invariably buy an outfit because I like it, not what I think someone else will like. I plan to wear high heels, short skirts, and lengthy hair until I choose to make a change and not make the change just because I am over 50.
Being a free spirit allows you the opportunity to be honest with yourself. When you are truthful with your heart and soul you will learn to get out of a life of “acceptance.” A life of acceptance can relate to a job, a relationship, or friend who does not feed your desire to be happy and all you can be. The state of acceptance means accepting less and not living fully. Being free and honest with yourself allows you to have the courage to move forward to a life of taking action to make your dreams come true.
When I embrace my genuine nature of a free spirit, I am more connected with the world, I am more positive, and at peace with me. I believe you need to be real to whatever is your true nature. If you don’t know who you are, take the time to explore yourself, your brain, your heart, your soul, and your goals. In so doing, you will find peace.
Being a free spirit is about being you! Living a life that is not true to you is a hard life. Whatever your label, live your life with passion, purpose, goals, dreams, and happiness.
The next label I will research is that of the control freak.
Love and peace be with you.
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