"When nobody wakes you up in the morning, and nobody waits for you at night, and you can do whatever you want, what do you call it? Freedom or loneliness?"
According to the interweb, the real origin of this quote is unknown despite it becoming quite famous on social media. Some attribute it to Charles Bukowski, others to a book titled The Unbearable Lightness Of Being by Milan Kundera.
I think the answer to the question posed is essentially subjective, based on the point of view of the individual. And even within that realm of subjectivity, the answer is not that simple, at least from how I see it.
Loneliness in and of itself seems unavoidable. It's like a shadow that will always be with us in the background, which stems from an inherent incompleteness that cannot be completed by anything in the material world.
Of course, there will be moments that will make us feel complete or whole, but these are transitory, like most experiences in this world.
That said, this doesn't imply that the feeling of loneliness described as "a shadow" to be something negative. Sometimes, solitude can be a source of strength and creativity.
Because it provides us with the ability to connect deeply with ourselves and appreciate the beauty of simply being.
A Cost Of Freedom
Freedom is tricky, costly and can be demanding, in the sense that it isn't just the absence of constraints, but also the ability to choose what matters to you and pursue it with your whole being.
This can be exhilarating, until you realize freedom means forging your own path, facing challenges alone, and accepting the responsibility for your choices.
From that point of view, loneliness can be seen as an effect of freedom. Perhaps, a cost attached to it.
The crux of this paradox lies in the inherent human desire for both connection and self-determination. We naturally crave the intimacy and support that comes with close relationships, yet in our depths yearn for the agency to explore our passions and chart our own course.
Freedom, in its purest form, grants us this agency, but it often comes at the price of feeling adrift in a sea of individuality.
Some people, perhaps those who thrive on social connection, may find the cost of loneliness too high a price to pay for freedom. They might choose to build a life with more constraints, but also with the warmth of companionship.
Others, perhaps those with a strong sense of self-reliance, will find the pursuit of their passions so fulfilling that they're willing to embrace the solitude that comes with it.
With all of that said and in all subjectivity, and the context of the question, I'll say the answer it is both, more so of freedom than loneliness. What will you call it? Freedom or loneliness?
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