Free Will
Right now, you could stand up, put your phone down, get into your car, and drive to the beach. Or you could call someone you haven’t talked to in five years. You could start wearing red lipstick or cut your hair. It’s easy to forget, amidst the routines and cycles of life, that we have free will—the ability to choose, to change, and to shape our days as we want.
[Justina’s Writing]
Sometimes, I find myself lost in the routine, forgetting that I have the power to break the cycles I’ve unconsciously fallen into. It’s like waking up and realizing, “I have free will!”
One day, that realization hit me hard in St. Augustine. I had two weeks of living alone for the first time in years. My usual routine of work, cooking, and quiet evenings started to feel monotonous. I asked myself, “What am I doing?” I had become immune to the beauty around me. I knew I needed to break free.
Naturally, I booked a skydiving session. It felt like the perfect way to reconnect with my free will and push past the monotony. As I stood at the edge of the plane, looking down at the expanse below, I felt a rush of freedom and fear. And when I jumped, the world opened up in a way I hadn’t experienced before. It wasn’t just about the adrenaline; it was about choosing to do something that felt so far outside my routine, so alive.
But free will doesn’t always have to mean jumping out of a plane. It can be found in the small, spontaneous moments:
On your neighborhood walk, take a right turn instead of your usual left.
Strike up a conversation with someone behind you in the grocery line.
Follow that impulse to grab a coffee before work.
Finally stop in at that store you’ve been eyeing on your commute home.
What has been calling your name lately? Is there a new thrift store you’ve been wanting to visit? Make the time right now to go. Sometimes, it’s these little moments of spontaneity that remind us we’re in charge of our lives.
[Roberta’s Writing]
I remember walking to the top of a hill overlooking Vilnius, sitting in the stillness of my newly solo life after travelling with others for a couple of months. For the first time, I felt the overwhelming freedom of being entirely on my own. My day was completely up to me.
In the days that followed, I leaned into this newfound freedom. I explored solo hikes, coffee dates, and spontaneous day trips, each moment revealing the power of choice. How you live your days, I realized, is how you live your life. Start small or big—the choice is always yours. Pick up a favorite book, take a new route to work, or plan that solo trip you’ve been dreaming of. Sometimes, it takes getting lost to find yourself.
Life doesn’t have to be so serious. It can be silly, joyous, and messy. Try something new and allow yourself to feel a little uncomfortable. The most meaningful growth often happens when we step outside our comfort zones.
I think back to a random camping trip Justina and I decided to take to Providence Canyon, Georgia. Quite spontaneously, we drove five hours from St. Augustine with minimal preparation. Carrying a gallon of water and a sleeping bag tied to ourselves, we hiked up the canyon to our campsite. That night, we shared a throw blanket in the middle of December, enduring cold temperatures and the chilling sound of a possible creature circling our tent.
Despite the discomfort and restless sleep, I woke up refreshed. Being completely detached from expectations and distractions of everyday routine brought clarity I hadn’t felt in a long time.
The Beauty of Choice
Free will is an incredible gift—a reminder that each day is ours to shape. Whether it’s through spontaneous adventures or small daily choices, we hold the power to break free from routine and create the life we want.
What will you choose today?
Stay tuned for our next post, where we dive deeper into seeking discomfort and how it makes you learn so much more about yourself.
Inspired? Tell us how you’ve embraced free will in your life or how you’ve sought discomfort!