Structure begets freedom.
The title of this post is a funny paradox. Structure and freedom are often thought of as opposites ends of the spectrum, so let me explain. Structure has a bad reputation sometimes. It can be associated with rigidity, boring, repetitive, and forced creating a lot of resistance in people. Whereas freedom is the ability to do, be, experience, and feel as one wants. I like to think of them as two sides of the same coin, they are friendly energies that influence one another. Total freedom without structure and boundaries can create chaos, it’s like a flame that has gotten too big. Structure is the grounding force to keep the flame grounded and manageable, while also allowing it to burn brightly. On the flip side, too much structure can leave one feeling trapped and constricted, dulling said flame.
So how do we balance these two energies? It starts with structure. We need some level of structure in our lives and do from birth. If you’ve ever spent any time with a baby or child, you know that some level of structure is necessary for their development. We are all just big babies walking around; we are not any different. Imagine being a child, think of structure as your safe person being near as you try something new or scary. Their presence allows you to be brave to try new things because you know your safety net is there and will protect you. Remember, structure grounds our fierce flame so it doesn’t get too big or lose it’s light. Structure does not need to be strict, it just needs to be. There is no one size fits all plan for everyone, however a good starting point is to have some parts of your day be predictable. Maybe that’s a morning or evening routine. Maybe it’s the systems you use to complete work or home tasks. Maybe is your eating or sleeping schedule. Maybe its your movement routine. My point is, it can be a lot of things and look totally different for everyone. Structure allows you to make sure you are not only grounded, but taken care of too. This is the key reason why structure begets freedom. Your tank needs to be full to experience true freedom to be creative, try new things, meet new people, etc. If you are not taken care of first, you won’t be able to feel the fullness of said freedom. Try adding a little bit of structure to your life to both ground you and energize you so you can truly enjoy some sweet exciting freedom.
Questions to ponder.
What structure in your life have you been craving?
Where do you feel constricted or a lack of freedom?
How can you add helpful structure into your life to experience more freedom?
