I've had coffee with a few friends recently, and our conversations were all so different. I was willing to share different things with each one, and I was conscientious of the clock more with some than with the others. I decided this came down to 1) who I thought had the ability to hurt me, use my words against me, or gossip about me and 2) who I thought had the ability and also the naivety to do so
I've never thought of freedom having a connection with pursuing what I want. Well-written, as always. Thanks for sharing :)
I was on the road today. I spent some time pondering the relationship between freedom & desire, and I have yet to find the resolution I'm looking for. So I will have to let this continue to steep. :)
I liked the line, “whatever that shields them from those: with their complexities, their masquerade, their theater, and sometimes their circus.” It seems like a more compassionate and truthful way of expressing the idea than something like “their masks, their performances,” which feels more judgmental and skips past the “complexities.” Daniel is honest about what’s happening, but he speaks about it thoughtfully.
I also liked the idea of the weight of awareness and the tension. It made me wonder whether overcoming it means holding the weight as it is. Sometimes, we sink into the darkness because we make the burden larger than it is, through anxiety about the future.
I appreciate how this excerpt weaves together different facets of the human condition.
Thank you so much for leaving thoughtful commentary
That's an interesting dichotomy, I'm also not sure if overcoming the weight of awareness means holding the weight as it is, I think it's more like accepting it, not trying to bury it under sarcasm or comedy, integrating it into your conscious self
I'm glad that you found this excerpt resonating with you
And I also appreciate you subscribing to my page as a thoughtful reader, there is nothing more I could ask for as a writer.
This resonated with me. The parts about vulnerability and choosing your own path really stood out. I think there's a lot of truth in the idea that authenticity takes courage.
Thats exactly it, each one of us has a facade of some sort to make sure we don't get hurt , its necessary and yet I've always wondered how much of this affected the real “me”
'In a world overflowing with productivity, such a measured pause was considered a sin' wow - that is worded beautifully !
You have illustrated really well the quiet and unspoken truth that many people walk around for the entirety of their lives holding a weighted facade to hide who they are and what they truly believe in, it's so sad - it's almost like they can't see themselves due to their own chosen blindness.
I get this feeling that people don't want to be vulnerable because they are too scared to be quickly judged or misunderstood but what they fail to account for is that we are all trying to live - suffering is universal and you never have to face something truly alone. Much of what we suffer, others have felt before - and they often have great advice to those who listen.
'Man never needed freedom at all, only the comfort of the illusion of choice' - so unbelievably true, many of the problems we have are only the result of our own shackles we 'forged in life' (as Charles Dickens would say) that make us feel an overbearing pressure to make every right decision, one after the other.
And as Camus once said 'you will never be able to experience everything. So please, do the poetical justice to your soul and simply experience yourself.'
Thank you for another beautiful article that is able to turn such complex human feelings and worries into such eloquent language - it honestly makes me understand my own feelings more.
Gosh! And thank you for leaving such a detailed feedback <3
I couldn't ask for more, I know how much effort goes into providing one 🫣
You're so right about every point I made in the piece, that's exactly what I wanted to deliver
Freedom of choice is scary, many people casually say they want to be free, very few people actually understand the burden that it carries. Kierkegaardean existential drowning, that's especially amplified with acute self awareness.
Also, you were quite right about people's psychological defenses of all kind, they have the place to exist, however as you mentioned, at the same time, it's about trying to live which means attempting to take a step or two outside of safe zone
Thank you so much for your comment, it's always a pleasure to see the work you do <3
I've had coffee with a few friends recently, and our conversations were all so different. I was willing to share different things with each one, and I was conscientious of the clock more with some than with the others. I decided this came down to 1) who I thought had the ability to hurt me, use my words against me, or gossip about me and 2) who I thought had the ability and also the naivety to do so
I've never thought of freedom having a connection with pursuing what I want. Well-written, as always. Thanks for sharing :)
Thank you for reading the piece :)
That’s how awareness manifests itself even in the mundane things like conversations, you’re conscious of what to tell who and how
And I can’t help but keep noticing it
Your comment is so on point :)
I was on the road today. I spent some time pondering the relationship between freedom & desire, and I have yet to find the resolution I'm looking for. So I will have to let this continue to steep. :)
That's alright. Things take time :)
Let me know if you find the resolution you're looking for
I'd love to hear it
I liked the line, “whatever that shields them from those: with their complexities, their masquerade, their theater, and sometimes their circus.” It seems like a more compassionate and truthful way of expressing the idea than something like “their masks, their performances,” which feels more judgmental and skips past the “complexities.” Daniel is honest about what’s happening, but he speaks about it thoughtfully.
I also liked the idea of the weight of awareness and the tension. It made me wonder whether overcoming it means holding the weight as it is. Sometimes, we sink into the darkness because we make the burden larger than it is, through anxiety about the future.
I appreciate how this excerpt weaves together different facets of the human condition.
Thank you so much for leaving thoughtful commentary
That's an interesting dichotomy, I'm also not sure if overcoming the weight of awareness means holding the weight as it is, I think it's more like accepting it, not trying to bury it under sarcasm or comedy, integrating it into your conscious self
I'm glad that you found this excerpt resonating with you
And I also appreciate you subscribing to my page as a thoughtful reader, there is nothing more I could ask for as a writer.
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us. I always enjoy reading them. Keep it up!
Thank you so much for reading :)
I really appreciate you being here!
You’re welcome Bekjon!
I appreciate you being here too.
This resonated with me. The parts about vulnerability and choosing your own path really stood out. I think there's a lot of truth in the idea that authenticity takes courage.
Thanks for commenting:)
I'm really glad it resonated with you
There are so many layers to this I don’t think I can do it justice.
I agree that everyone carries around their own pain. Self included.
I wouldn’t be inclined to share that with everyone I meet. So in that respect a boundary or facade exists which shields it from others.
I have no doubt however that it doesn’t play out in my actions and choices as I move through the world. It’s shaped me as others have been shaped.
I think that’s how we all show up.
I can see in that that freedom and choice could be a fallacy that makes me equally uncomfortable and empowered.
Thank you so much for reading :)
Thats exactly it, each one of us has a facade of some sort to make sure we don't get hurt , its necessary and yet I've always wondered how much of this affected the real “me”
I'm glad you found it resonating with you
Its such a joy reading comments like this <3
'In a world overflowing with productivity, such a measured pause was considered a sin' wow - that is worded beautifully !
You have illustrated really well the quiet and unspoken truth that many people walk around for the entirety of their lives holding a weighted facade to hide who they are and what they truly believe in, it's so sad - it's almost like they can't see themselves due to their own chosen blindness.
I get this feeling that people don't want to be vulnerable because they are too scared to be quickly judged or misunderstood but what they fail to account for is that we are all trying to live - suffering is universal and you never have to face something truly alone. Much of what we suffer, others have felt before - and they often have great advice to those who listen.
'Man never needed freedom at all, only the comfort of the illusion of choice' - so unbelievably true, many of the problems we have are only the result of our own shackles we 'forged in life' (as Charles Dickens would say) that make us feel an overbearing pressure to make every right decision, one after the other.
And as Camus once said 'you will never be able to experience everything. So please, do the poetical justice to your soul and simply experience yourself.'
Thank you for another beautiful article that is able to turn such complex human feelings and worries into such eloquent language - it honestly makes me understand my own feelings more.
Gosh! And thank you for leaving such a detailed feedback <3
I couldn't ask for more, I know how much effort goes into providing one 🫣
You're so right about every point I made in the piece, that's exactly what I wanted to deliver
Freedom of choice is scary, many people casually say they want to be free, very few people actually understand the burden that it carries. Kierkegaardean existential drowning, that's especially amplified with acute self awareness.
Also, you were quite right about people's psychological defenses of all kind, they have the place to exist, however as you mentioned, at the same time, it's about trying to live which means attempting to take a step or two outside of safe zone
Thank you so much for your comment, it's always a pleasure to see the work you do <3
Aww, I love reading your work!!
I am so glad I downloaded substack - it's been so lovely finding people who also like to talk and think about the existential questions of life !
Have a lovely week 💕