I want what I want…

Let’s face it, I’m a millennial. I have a different approach to life, a vastly different view on work-life, and the desire to be creative. I’m literally dying inside while sitting in front of a computer all day where I work (like a puppet) on things that other’s want me to do (even if I don’t agree) and my creative juices are, well, somewhere in the pit of my stomach causing me feel ill and lousy, and plain ol’ blah.

“How was work?” is usually the first thing people ask after a long day. I remember a time when I would rant and rave, excitedly sharing news about my day. I was making a difference. I was doing something great. Lately, I hear that question and I cringe at how to answer it without 1) pretending it was awesome, and 2) sending myself into an hour-long rant about how boring and unfulfilling it is.

What I want from my work-life is to be able to be creative, have fun with it, look forward to getting my sleeves rolled up and getting in there. I want to do something that is actually making a difference… not plan all these wild ideas of what-ifs, thinking up the plan and designing the program to get there only to just watch it get dusty on a shelf, never to be implemented.

I want to enjoy going to work. I want to enjoy 99% of the people I work with. I want us to lift each other up, celebrate one another, and make each other better. No one enjoys the gossiper, the whiner, the know it all, the nosey-Rose, and the slacker. Complacency is the culprit for all of the above. When people get bored, or fed-up, their ugly comes out. We all have those moments. I have them often. Soul-sucking personalities in your work-life are toxic, and spread like the wildfire.

I want flexibility. I want to work the hours during my personal peak productivity. I want that mid-day gym work out that gets the blood pumping and the creative juices flowing, staving off the 2 o’clock death hour that sends you into a coma, longing for a place to curl up for an afternoon nap. I want meetings held standing up or walking through the park. I want less lengthy reports that actually take away from the stuff that actually produces results.

I want colorful work spaces, fresh air, healthy work conditions and options. I once asked for a standing work station. It didn’t have to be a desk. It just needed to accommodate me standing up when I got tired of sitting through the 8 to 5. I was told that it “wouldn’t actually be better for me to stand for long periods of time.”

I want to wake up with the sun, not before it. To cherish the morning routine, not dread it. I want to not hit the snooze button three times. Who ever thought the idea of starting “work” at 8 AM was productive anyway? It’s no wonder why so many zombies stroll into work cranky, and some can’t shake it for the remainder of the day.

I want to taste my breakfast, sip (not gulp) my coffee, and actually help my daughter pick out matching clothes in the morning.

I want options. I want joy. I want health. I want to live, not merely exist.

Create Your Own Personal Freedom

If you ask someone what number one thing they want in life, they’ll say something along the lines of happiness or joy – or if they’re like most, they’ll say they want XYZ – but only because XYZ will make them happy. We all starve for happiness, for that feeling contentment and satisfaction. But to each of us, happiness and joy looks different depending where we are in life. For me, happiness and joy show up as small spurts of personal freedom.

Personal freedom like those little moments when you don’t feel rushed to be anywhere. Personal freedom allows you to come and go at your own pace. It’s the freedom of working during your peak productivity levels and not during someone else’s. It’s the freedom of sleeping until 7:30 – 8:00 AM and waking refreshed and ready to tackle the day. It’s the luxury of taking a break when you need to recharge or refocus, or the ability to stop and chat with someone unhurried and unfiltered because you can be where you are and who you are whenever you want.

I long for moments like that. I think most of us long for moments like that. Here’s the best part… it’s possible. I invite all of you to make room for little moments of personal freedom in your daily routine. Here’s how:

Personal freedom is different for everyone. Personal freedom is defined by the individual. So, ask yourself What am I seeking freedom from? Is it time constraints, the need for more money, or is it the quest for personal space? For me, it’s freedom from the mundane, or the boring old routine that no longer aligns with my values and dreams.

Next, identify What do you want to do with that extra time? Do you simply need more time to think, or space for peace and quiet? Or maybe you want to tackle the daunting to-do list… even if it’s five minutes at a time. Do you need time to reconnect with self through meditation, or connect with others? Do you need fresh air, a few extra minutes with your kids, time for a healthy snack, read a chapter of your book, or plain ol’ sleep!

Now that the easy part is out of the way, let’s address the meat of the issue: How do you make space for personal freedom? Are there increments of time you spend wastefully? It doesn’t have to be half hour increments, either. Are you spending 10-15 minutes a few times a day on social media? Are there household chores that you can delegate will teach responsibility to your older children, thereby freeing up time for you? Is there a longer route home that will allow you to squeeze in more time for peace and quiet or finish that podcast? Do you spend 30 minutes washing dishes when you have a dishwasher? (Trust me, the few extra bucks on your bill is worth your sanity.) Can you turn a chore, like walking the dog, into time for fresh air or a moment for contemplation? I encourage you to dig deep into your daily habits and find a few minutes here and there.

[Side bar: I know there are those of us who work jobs that don’t allow much flexibility. Try turning your work space into a sanctuary. Make it more like home by bringing in something warm for those days where your bones are so cold that you can’t function, or your favorite tea, coffee, or treat to give you something to look forward to. Play music that helps you relax and tune out other office chatter. Buy a yoga ball to sit on rather than a chair if you’re feeling a little sluggish.]

The most difficult part is to follow through. Whatever you do, if you’re clearing space in your day for personal moments of freedom, you must intend to use that time for those things that will lift you up and bring you joy and happiness.

I challenge you to make space for personal freedom.

Peace, love, and freedom.