How to Stay True to Your Values and Reclaim Your Freedom in a World Demanding Obedience

Let’s talk about values. Not the fluffy, stick-on-a-vision-board kind, but the deep-in-your-bones principles that make you who you are. The ones that, when you honour them, make you feel like you’re standing tall, and when you ignore them, leave you with a gnawing knot in your stomach. For me, that value is freedom. It’s not just a word—it’s the pulse of my soul, the thing that makes me feel alive. And right now, in the West, with all its ideological kerfuffle, I’m feeling that knot more than ever. If you’re sensing your own core values being squeezed by a world demanding you fall in line, stick with me. This isn’t just a rant—by the end, I’ll give you a simple practice to reclaim your freedom and live true to who you are.

Why Values Are Your North Star

Values aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re the compass that keeps you grounded when life gets messy. They’re the quiet voice that tells you what matters most, even when the world’s shouting at you to conform. Think of them as the non-negotiables that define your integrity—not the kind you flaunt on social media, but the kind that keeps you up at night if you betray them. When you live by your values, you’re not just drifting through life; you’re choosing who you are with every step.

For me, freedom is that value. It’s the ability to think, speak, and act in ways that feel true to my core, without someone else’s rulebook dictating my choices. It’s about sovereignty—the right to be the author of my own life. But here’s the rub: when the powers-that-be start tightening the screws, whether through laws, social pressures, or endless red tape, that freedom starts to feel like it’s slipping through my fingers. And I know I’m not alone.

The Knot in My Stomach: Freedom Under Fire in the West

Let’s be real—the West’s having a bit of a moment. Everywhere you look, there’s another push for compliance, another demand to toe the line, another “for your own good” edict that smells more like control than care. I’m not here to point fingers or pick fights, but I can’t ignore the knot in my stomach when I see my freedom—my sovereignty—being chipped away. It’s not just about what we’re allowed to say or do; it’s about the creeping sense that someone else gets to decide what’s right for me. That’s not just a policy problem; it’s a soul problem. When the essence of who you are—your values—is curtailed, it’s like being asked to live half a life.

Freedom, for me, is more than a political buzzword. It’s the space to breathe, to create, to question, to be unapologetically me. When that’s threatened, it’s not just my lifestyle at stake—it’s my sense of self. And I’d wager if you’re reading this, you’ve felt that same tug, that same unease when the world tries to box you in.

Why Living Your Values Matters Now More Than Ever

When you live out of alignment with your values, you’re not just off course—you’re disconnected from your own power. It’s like trying to navigate a stormy sea without a rudder. You feel restless, hollow, maybe even a bit lost. But when you lean into your values, even in small ways, you reclaim that inner strength. You’re not just reacting to the world’s demands; you’re choosing your response. That’s where the magic happens.

Right now, with the West wading through ideological quicksand, staying true to your values is an act of defiance. It’s saying, “You can make your rules, but you don’t get to define me.” For me, that means doubling down on freedom—finding ways to assert my sovereignty even when the system seems hell-bent on obedience.

How to Reclaim Your Freedom: A Simple Practice

So, how do you stay free in a world that’s banging on about compliance? You don’t need to storm Parliament or start a revolution (though I wouldn’t blame you for daydreaming about it). Freedom starts within—it’s about anchoring yourself in your values and living them out, no matter what’s going on outside. Here’s a simple, five-minute daily practice to help you reassert your freedom and stay true to your core:

The Freedom Anchor Exercise  

1. Find Your Quiet Space: Grab five minutes somewhere you won’t be disturbed. No phone, no noise, just you. (Yes, even the dog can wait.)

2. Name Your Core Value: Close your eyes and ask, “What’s the one value that makes me feel most alive?” For me, it’s freedom. For you, it might be truth, connection, or something else. Let it bubble up naturally—don’t overthink it.

3. Feel It in Your Body: Where do you feel that value? For me, freedom sits in my solar plexus and heart space, like a warm, open space. Notice where it lives in you. If you feel that knot of restriction instead, acknowledge it. That’s your body saying, “Oi, something’s off.”

4. Ask a Power Question: With your value in mind, ask, “What’s one small action I can take today to honour my [value]?” It could be as simple as speaking your truth in a conversation, choosing what you read instead of swallowing the news, or even taking a walk to clear your head. Write it down.

5. Act on It: Do that one thing. Doesn’t matter how small it seems—every action that aligns with your value is a stake in the ground, a reminder that you’re still sovereign.

   
   

Do this daily, and you’ll start to feel that knot loosen. You’re not just reacting to the world’s demands—you’re choosing who you are. For me, it’s writing this blog, questioning the narrative, or even dowsing in my garden to reconnect with what feels true. These tiny acts of freedom stack up, building a life that’s yours, not theirs.

Why This Works

This practice isn’t just feel-good fluff—it’s rooted in the idea that your inner world shapes your outer reality. When you consciously align with your values, you’re not just coping; you’re reclaiming your power. You’re telling the world, “You can set the rules, but you don’t get to define me.” In a West that’s increasingly fond of telling us how to think and act, that’s no small thing. It’s your sovereignty, your freedom, your soul’s way of saying, “I’m still here.”

So, what’s your core value? What’s that knot in your stomach telling you? And what’s one small step you can take today to live freer, truer, you-er? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear how you’re keeping your values front and centre in this bonkers world.