Understand freedom from limits and freedom to choose your path

Erich Fromm taught that real freedom comes in two forms: freedom from external constraints and freedom to choose one’s own destiny. Yet, many of us mistake escaping constraints for true freedom. We scramble to remove obstacles but never claim the agency to decide what we’ll do next.

In one study of smartphone use, nearly 97 percent of participants reported using their phones within an hour of bed, even knowing it harmed their sleep. They felt “free” from boredom but not “free” to choose rest. Their reactivity to phone notifications overrode fundamental autonomy. Researchers call this decision fatigue—when so many external demands erode our internal control.

Take the example of high-achiever Jenna, always chasing bigger titles. She realized her hours off-site meant endless email pings, making her feel trapped. She reframed: “I’m free from compulsive answering, and free to block focused time.” She added two daily no-meeting, no-email slots. Within a week, Jenna reported deeper focus, better sleep, and more creative ideas.

Psychology’s self-determination theory shows autonomy is essential for well-being, performance, and motivation. Jenna’s shift from escaping constraints to actively choosing her priorities illustrates the leap from “freedom from” to “freedom to.” In practice, that means you stop running from limits and start owning every choice in your life.

Begin by listing external factors you feel trapped by—social media, nonstop meetings, or others’ opinions. For each, write down how you can respond differently—block calendar slots or set phone limits. Then commit to one concrete change, like a daily no-phone hour, and put it on your schedule. At month’s end, revisit this list and celebrate how your autonomy grows. This simple framework transforms mere escape into true choice. Start defining your freedoms today.