Everybody searches for it, tries to catch it, and is always looking for it. But what is it? Most of all, what is it for you? Human beings have always fought for freedom — which underlines the fact that someone always tried to take it away. But what are we really talking about when we say “freedom”? Freedom from what, from whom? And for what? What’s the aim of freedom? Above all, what do these seven letters awaken within you?
When I was 14, I decided that freedom would be my guiding light, my first value, and something I would work to obtain, no matter the cost. I didn’t have a clear idea of all the implications of that concept, nor how complex it could be to manage too much freedom — or how to get the most out of it… but it didn’t matter. I had my polar star.
My first move was to leave home and jump into a completely new reality. I went to study in a bigger city on the Italian coast, renting a room in the house of an elder woman. I wanted to become a chef, and the closest school — a very important one — was there. I had to take that leap. To be honest, it felt like freedom from the very first moment I started thinking about it — and it definitely was!
I won’t tell all the incredible stories that happened there: the companions I had during those five years, the crazy adventures, the time and money I wasted on stupid stuff, the loves, the fears, the loneliness, and the cold winters. But I had my official first experience of a new level of possibilities.
Freedom is like a diamond: it has multiple sides and angles. It’s rough sometimes and appears in many shapes. But if you can look inside the magic of living a free life, you’ll see the most precious gift you’ve ever had.
After my graduation as a tourism technician (not a chef, though), I never missed a chance to hop to a new city and new adventures. That’s how I lived in Perugia (Italy) for a few years, then Dublin (Ireland), and finally Barcelona (Spain). My traveling and exploring new countries was just the material side of that experience of freedom. What truly changed and reshaped me was the inner concept of my own spiritual, mental, and emotional liberation.
Many challenges, mistakes, and defeats awaited me in all those places, but one thing was always stronger than them: my desire to find my true self! I began the university of Economics and Business without a solid mathematical background. I struggled a lot during the first years, but who cares? As they say, if you fall 1,000 times, you just need to get up 1,001 — and you’ve made it. Easy, right? Nope. Absolutely exhausting and sometimes crushing… but hey, who cares? 1,001 times, that’s all you need 😅
Then I graduated and moved to Dublin. Ireland, a small but incredible country, full of new challenges. The Irish way of speaking is quite unique, but if I could learn English there, it would be easier anywhere else in the world! I faced a lot of rain, dark mornings, endless walks to find a job, beautiful pubs, friends from all over the world… and yes, pints, pints, and more pints. I got a job that literally bent me for almost two years, but again — hey, I was learning English and getting paid. Not too bad, right?
After two years, I suddenly decided to come back to Italy temporarily and finally got the chance to move to my city: Barcelona.
I want to focus on one very important lesson from all this. Along with the amazing experiences, I realized something crucial: where you live — the environment, the people, the climate, the culture, the beauty around you — is absolutely essential to your happiness and well-being. Don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s secondary to other factors. Loving yourself means finding your place: your everyday playground where you can build your dreams and have fun. That insight completely changed my life — and if you dare, it can change yours too.
Now, as I want to keep this light, I’ll stop here! If you want to know more about the next steps and how this journey developed, stay tuned. This isn’t about me — it’s about the journey that matters for all of us. Probably the most important journey of all. See you in the next one!
Stay aware, stay free…love!
Simone
