The Habit of Freedom: How to Break Free and Live on Your Own Terms

Written By Salvatore Iacona

Welcome back, fellow explorers of life!

What does freedom mean to you?

For some, it’s the ability to travel the world, waking up in a new city whenever they choose.

For others, it’s about being their own boss, calling the shots instead of answering to someone else. And for many, it’s something much simpler—having the freedom to be who they truly are, without fear of judgment or limitations.

But here’s the thing… freedom isn’t just a dream. It’s a habit. A daily choice. A way of living that you cultivate, step by step.

Most people don’t realize that they’re trapped—not by society, not by their jobs, not even by their responsibilities, but by their own habits. The things they do every day either bring them closer to freedom or keep them stuck in invisible chains.

Today, I want to show you how to break free.

Are You Truly Free? Or Just Comfortable?

Let’s be honest—most of us crave freedom, but at the same time, we cling to what feels safe and predictable.

We tell ourselves:

- "I want to be financially independent"—but we keep spending money on things that don’t matter.

- "I want to travel"—but we’re too afraid to leave the comfort of our routines.

- "I want to start my own business"—but we keep making excuses and sticking to our 9-to-5 or whatever hours

I know this struggle firsthand.

My Story: The Moment I Chose Freedom

For a long time, I was stuck in the same cycle.

I worked late shifts, coming home at 1:00 AM, exhausted but not ready to sleep. Instead of doing something productive, I would binge-watch series until 3:00 AM, snacking on junk food, telling myself, "Just one more episode."

The next morning, I’d wake up at 11:00 AM, already feeling behind. I’d grab some coffee, get ready, and before I knew it, it was time to go to work again. Same routine, different day.

Deep down, I knew I wanted more. I wanted to be healthier, more motivated, more in control of my life. But every time I thought about changing, I’d say, "I’ll start tomorrow."

Tomorrow became next week. Next week became next month. And nothing changed.

Then, one day, I had a realization:

- "If I don’t change anything, where will I be in 5 years or in 10 years?"

That thought scared me. I didn’t want to look back one day and regret not taking action.

So, I made a decision—freedom wouldn’t just be a dream. It would be a habit.

I started with small changes:

  • Instead of watching series until 3:00 AM, I set a cutoff time and started reading or journaling instead.

  • Instead of junk food, I prepared something healthy the night before.

  • Instead of waking up at 11:00 AM, I slowly adjusted my schedule to wake up earlier and take control of my mornings.

At first, it was hard. I wanted to fall back into old patterns. But every time I resisted, I felt a little stronger, more disciplined, more in control.

And step by step, I started experiencing the kind of freedom I had always dreamed of.

The Habits That Are Keeping You Trapped

If you feel like you don’t have control over your time, your goals, or your happiness, it’s probably because of one or more of these habits:

  • The Habit of Fear – You let fear stop you from taking risks, speaking up, or going after what you really want.

  • The Habit of Comfort – You stick to what feels easy instead of pushing yourself to grow.

  • The Habit of Excuses – You always find reasons why now isn’t the right time to change.

  • The Habit of Distraction – You fill your time with Netflix, social media, and scrolling instead of working on your dreams.

  • The Habit of Dependence – You rely on others (a job, a relationship, a routine) to make you feel secure, instead of building your own foundation.

Sound familiar? The good news is — just as bad habits can keep you stuck, good habits can set you free.

How to Build the Habit of Freedom (Exercises for You!)

- 1. The 1% Rule: Small Steps Every Day

Freedom doesn’t come from a single big decision—it comes from small daily actions.

  • Want financial freedom? Start by saving $5/€5 a day or creating a new income stream.

  • Want time freedom? Cut 30 minutes of distractions and use that time to build something meaningful.

  • Want personal freedom? Say "no" to things that don’t serve you and start focusing on what does.

Make 1% progress every day, and in a year, you’ll be completely transformed.

- 2. The "No More Excuses" Challenge

For one week, anytime you catch yourself making an excuse, write it down. Then, flip it into an action:

  • Excuse: "I don’t have time to work out."

  • Action: Wake up 15 minutes earlier and do a quick session.

  • Excuse: "I can’t start my dream project because I don’t know how."

  • Action: Watch a 10-minute tutorial and take the first step.

The moment you stop making excuses is the moment you start living.

- 3. The Discomfort Zone

Every day, do one thing that makes you uncomfortable.

  • Speak up in a meeting.

  • Start a conversation with a stranger.

  • Try something new.

Freedom grows when you face your fears instead of running from them.

- 4. The "What If" Exercise

Write down the things that scare you the most about changing your life. Then, ask yourself:

- "What if I actually succeed?"

Too often, we focus on what could go wrong. But what if everything actually goes right?

Final Thoughts: You Hold the Key to Your Own Freedom

Freedom isn’t given to you—it’s something you create for yourself.

Every day, you have a choice: stay stuck in the habits that keep you trapped or build the habits that set you free.

- What’s ONE habit you can change today that will bring you closer to the life you truly want?

Your journey to freedom starts NOW.