Oh, how beautiful art though – Embracing the freedom to just be

Oh, how beautiful art thou, shimmering in the deepest hues of crimson oranges, fiery reds, and earthy browns. Wrapped in the softest shades of blue, adorned with a single twinkling star, all set above the cosy embrace of shifting clouds as dusk unfolds.

Looking at the world around us, we see raw beauty in the balance of the elements: the wind that cools in summer and bites in winter, the rain that nourishes and erodes, and the sunsets painted in crimson and gold, fading effortlessly into twilight. These moments remind us that nature doesn’t struggle to transform – it embraces change with grace.

From growing up in the blazing warmth of the African sun to now living in the icy grip of English snow, I’ve learned that warmth frees the spirit, while the cold obligates you to comfort; a yin and yang for the soul. Yet, over the years, humanity has cast itself in shadows, with rules, systems, and expectations keeping us from finding warmth.

Chained by expectations

Today, mental suffering is more pervasive than ever. Anxiety, depression, and burnout have become hallmarks of modern life. The weight of societal pressures – success, perfection, and validation – has constructed a world where freedom feels distant. Somewhere in our evolution, we stopped asking “Who am I?” and “Why?”. Instead, we’ve busied ourselves with “how-to” guides that promise to fix us:

• How to eat right.

• How to succeed.

• How to balance work and life.

• How to raise children.

• How to be enough.

But they only act as a plaster over a much deeper wound that needs to be dressed: Our spirits – once free to explore, create and feel – are suffocated by the noise of productivity.

In pursuit of control, we’ve sacrificed the innate harmony within us – the ebb and flow of our emotions, the seasons of growth and rest, the balance of mind and spirit. Now we live in fear of failure, driving us further from our authentic selves.

While we master technology we have forgotten Maslow's most important need, self-actualisation, which encompasses morality, creativity, spontaneity, acceptance, experience, purpose, meaning and inner potential.

Lessons in nature

Gasing at a sunset recently, I was struck by its effortless beauty. There was no rush or hesitation as the light surrendered to the darkness. It reminds us that freedom lies in acceptance and letting go of the need to control every outcome.

What if we could strip away the layers of societal expectations and reconnect with ourselves?

It’s not easy, but we have to muster up the courage to say “enough”. We have to reject the noise and listen to our inner voices. We have to trust our gut and live without the need for constant validation.

This year, my hope is for liberated spirits. The world doesn’t need more perfection; it needs more kindness, more authenticity, and more love – the freedom to just be.