Survival Tips for Free Spirits

We, as free spirits, sometimes try to follow the dictates of society—only to find ourselves walking through life on burning hot coals. We’ve seen it before: our parents, teachers, neighbors, bosses, colleagues, even friends—leaping from one painful ember to another, scorched soles and souls alike, silently wondering: Is it them, or is it me? And then, just as bewildering, being told how necessary, even enjoyable, this painful way of moving through the world supposedly is.

We, in contrast, long to move through life like a warm summer breeze—navigating naturally, gracefully, through the open contours of our lives. But instead, we often find ourselves sealed inside some suffocating structure, desperately seeking an open window. We discover, to our dismay, that the only one is a hairline crack in the far corner of a factory-shaped existence.
How do we cope?

a. We walk the coals numbly—Prozac, Zoloft, Klonopin on board—medicated against the heat. 

b. We chant affirmations, hoping to believe the hot coals are no different than ice cubes.

c. We dip into alternate realities. (No explanation needed.)

Or, d. We transform—summer breeze turned raging typhoon—and wake up without friends or family.

Raise your hand if you’ve tried them all? Yeah. Me too. But here’s what I’ve learned about surviving this world with your spirit mostly intact:

1. You are oxygen.
By nature, free spirits bring fresh air to closed, stagnant spaces. But don’t be surprised if your presence causes discomfort. Others may not appreciate the breeze you are—not because they dislike you, but because you remind them of how confined they feel. It’s not personal, and often not even conscious. Conformity is their coping strategy. When that happens (and it will), don’t shrink. Instead, remember who you are. Reflect on the light and life you bring. Then step back, breathe, and let your magic gently permeate the resistance.

2. Freedom begins within.
True freedom isn’t about doing whatever you want whenever you want. It’s the space you create inside yourself—the ability to respond to life rather than react. Free spirits learn, over time, to find freedom in inner alignment rather than external permission.

3. Leave—but not in panic.
We often feel trapped by rigidity, desperate to flee lifeless routines or uninspired spaces. That instinct is real. But try not to let panic dictate your departure. Leave when you’re ready. Leave when it makes sense. Leave with intention, not escape. Your spirit deserves that dignity.

4. Solitude is medicine.
Sometimes solitude offers more healing than company. Even treasured friendships or romantic connections may not nourish us like a quiet walk, an afternoon with our journal, or simply time alone. Prioritize solitude when your spirit calls for it. It’s not selfish. It’s sacred.

5. Redefine wealth.
Free spirits don’t usually chase status or money the way society expects. That can be a source of inner conflict. But here's the truth: time is our real currency. Time to create, reflect, connect, breathe. If that means trading material gain for spiritual wealth—do it. Own that trade-off. Claim it with pride, not shame.

This is what I’ve learned, anyway. Free spirits, I don’t have it all figured out. But if anything here resonates with you, leave a comment—or share the ways you’ve stayed true to yourself in a world that keeps handing out uniforms.

We weren’t made for the factory floor.

We were made for the sky.