re: What's the closest you've ever felt to complete freedom

Driving from Mississippi to Montana to start a new job after college was the most free Ive ever felt. Driving through Wyoming I lost cell service for most of the day...and then my cell phone broke. I had less than $100 in my pocket and a duffle bag of clothes. On my way I would just pull off into the wilderness and camp boondock style. Didnt have a worry in the world.

At that time I had no kid, no wife, no gf. Just me.
Was as free as a bird. One of the best decisions I ever made because nobody in Mississippi was willing to help me get my foot in the door for my career. I now live back in Mississippi and work at home for a company overseas.

In the early 90s aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. Late one night, I went out and laid down in one of the flight deck safety nets. We were in the middle of the Indian Ocean and there was nothing to obstruct the view of the stars. Between the cool breeze, the sound of moving water beneath us, and the amazing view of the sky, I felt complete freedom for a few moments.

My answer is summers in college. I'd take bullshite classes and still got a stipend from my parents. Bars weren't as crowded, but the quality of the people I found better. No responsibilities besides 1 class a day. Leave that class and go straight to the pool every day. Leave the pool and go straight to a bar.

Best time of my life.

Went to big bend national park

It’s one of the less traveled parks because it’s a bitch to get to. Even the hours of driving to get there you may pass like one or two cars that aren’t border patrol (even saw this border patrol blimp thing that was cool)

Anyway

Did lost mine trail

At the end of the hike you’re at a pretty tall peak

Could see horizon to horizon

And there was NO civilization just arid dry hills and plains and mountains and desert

The clouds casting shadows

A hawk flying around

I’ve never seen so much land at one. And never seen so much land with so little human evidence.

It honestly looked like a diorama my mind couldn’t comprehend it all.

When I moved to NC from Alabama after college in 1996. 660 miles away from anyone I knew.

It sucked moving away, but was also freeing.

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Reading everybody else's answers made me sad because I realized I rarely feel freedom.

When I was about to be wheeled back for cancer surgery, that was the closest I think I've ever been to being truly free.

My entire life until that point was a constant pressure to perform, to handle responsibilities, to prepare for the future, to continuously learn and improve, to push for excellence and a form of small minded greatness. It led me to a non-stop sense of obligation that never was at ease. I always had something I needed to be doing and could never just sit and exist.

On that bed, I had said goodbye to my family. No one from work could reach me. My work duties were delegated and couldn't be given back. If I died on the table, my family would never have to worry about money (assuming the life insurance paid out). I would never again feel the pressure of being a below average father, employee, husband, son, brother or friend. I would never again feel the guilt of not being perfect.

For the first time in my life, it was just me and death, and I wasn't even worried. I was free to lay there and just be.

I envy those of you who can reach that feeling with achievable activities.

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brother. you gotta let go.

complete freedom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Swimming nekked with the wife, at a nude beach in Larnica Cyprus in 1986.

Last night, I got back from the gym and discovered the dogs ate a loaf of cinnamon raisin bread.

I googled it and learned they should be dead.

I felt pretty good and free when they showed no symptoms.

quote:

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Reading everybody else's answers made me sad because I realized I rarely feel freedom.

When I was about to be wheeled back for cancer surgery, that was the closest I think I've ever been to being truly free.

My entire life until that point was a constant pressure to perform, to handle responsibilities, to prepare for the future, to continuously learn and improve, to push for excellence and a form of small minded greatness. It led me to a non-stop sense of obligation that never was at ease. I always had something I needed to be doing and could never just sit and exist.

On that bed, I had said goodbye to my family. No one from work could reach me. My work duties were delegated and couldn't be given back. If I died on the table, my family would never have to worry about money (assuming the life insurance paid out). I would never again feel the pressure of being a below average father, employee, husband, son, brother or friend. I would never again feel the guilt of not being perfect.

For the first time in my life, it was just me and death, and I wasn't even worried. I was free to lay there and just be.

I envy those of you who can reach that feeling with achievable activities.

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I feel that so much. I, too, don't remember what freedom feels like. I don't know if I ever felt it as a adult.

I left High School an average student. I hated school and everything that went with it, so right to work I went. Worked and hated every single day. Reached the age of 32, and realized my Dad was nearing death, and began the next 20 or so years being a caregiver for family members, simply because no one else could or would do it. I watched as my hero, the man that was always there, wither away and die at the ripe old age of 69. I was 32. My hunting buddy, my fishing buddy, was gone. I never fished seriously again, never hunted again. Too painful.
That left me with my Mom, who had never did anything for herself, didn't drive, didn't know how to pay bills, nothing. So from 2003 to 2018 I ran her life. There was no time for mine. No vacations, thank goodness I had no kids to see what I had to do, day after day, year after year. Took in her brother in 2013 who also had no family, and cared for HIM until he passed in 2021.

I don't know what freedom is. No idea. wouldn't know if it punched me in the face. I always had to be somewhere, manage an illness, manage doctors, manage injuries, all the while trying to live for myself. Hopeless.

Closest I get to freedom is pedaling a recumbent trike down the trace. If there's a nice breeze, and I dont hurt, there's an occasional feeling of 'Damn, I made it"...but I still h ave to be on guard, every single day, because now I am getting to age where I am going to be the one that can't do anymore.

I don't drink, I don't and never have done hard drugs, I have an occasional THC gummy and that only brings temporary peace.

Freedom? Never met the man.

Skateboarding days....12-15 years old.

Would get off the bus, drop my shite, grab board and hit the mean streets of the Berry. Ollieing over fire hydrants and knowing every bump, jump, and curb on Main Street. Get home a little after dark happy as a lark. Not one fricking care in the world. If I only knew how good I had it then...