In modern society, many people strive for financial freedom. However, does financial freedom necessarily mean becoming wealthy? Through Stoic philosophy, we can view economic independence from a new perspective. This article presents a fresh approach to financial freedom and shares practical steps you can take right away.
The True Meaning of Financial Freedom
We often think of financial freedom as becoming rich. However, Stoic philosopher Seneca says that true financial freedom lies not in wealth, but in freedom of the mind. After retiring in ancient Rome, he wrote letters to his friend Lucilius, emphasizing the importance of living in the present and not neglecting the moment.
Seneca said:
Life rushes by while we delay.
We live our lives postponing happiness and contentment to future moments. However, we must realize that nothing in life is worth waiting for.
5 Practical Steps Toward Financial Freedom
You don’t need to be extremely wealthy to feel financially free. Here are a few steps you can take right now.
- Develop a habit of spending less than you earn. It’s not just about saving money, but about reducing expenses to enrich your current life.
- Be content with what you have. Stop complaining and cultivate a sense of gratitude for what you already possess.
- Stop complaining. Complaints cause stress and hinder mental freedom.
- Look for opportunities. Seek out new opportunities every day and grow from them.
- Do the right thing daily. Right actions lead to financial freedom in the long run.
Financial Freedom and Mental Freedom
Many people dream of early retirement from high school. However, through writing about financial freedom from a philosophical perspective, I realized that focusing solely on monetary freedom is a misguided pursuit. True freedom comes from mental freedom. When the mind and spirit are free from fear and greed, we can live fully in the present.
True freedom is especially attainable when you maintain consistency in your habits. This type of freedom is far more important than simply having a lot of money. You’ve probably heard stories of extremely wealthy individuals being unhappy or depressed. If money were the answer to everything, all rich people would be invariably happy.
Moments of Achieving Mental Freedom
You can recognize that you’ve attained mental freedom when:
- You have no fear of bankruptcy.
- You have no desire for material possessions.
- You are content with your current lifestyle.
- You develop a healthy desire for self-improvement.
- You feel motivated to make an impact on the world.
Act Now
If you are consistently doing the right thing, accumulating significant wealth is only a matter of time. So relax and enjoy the present moment. May only good things come your way.
Reference: Darius Foroux, “Stoic & Wealthy #4: On financial independence”