I’ve always considered myself a free spirit—someone who craves adventure, spontaneity, and new experiences.
But if I’m being honest, my daily life doesn’t always reflect that.
Instead of chasing excitement, I often find myself stuck in the same routines, going through the motions while yearning for something different.
Sound familiar?
The truth is, having a free-spirited nature doesn’t automatically mean you’re living a life full of freedom. In fact, many people who see themselves this way still feel trapped in habits that keep them from fully embracing their adventurous side.
If that resonates with you, you’re not alone. Here are seven behaviors that might be keeping you feeling stuck—despite your free-spirited nature.
1) You overthink your desire for change
You dream about breaking free from your routine—maybe traveling more, picking up a new hobby, or just shaking things up in your daily life.
But instead of taking action, you get stuck in your head.
You analyze every possibility, consider all the risks, and wait for the “perfect” moment to make a change. And before you know it, days, weeks, or even months pass by without anything actually changing.
Free-spirited people love the idea of spontaneity, but overthinking can be the very thing that holds them back. Sometimes, the best way to reclaim that sense of freedom is to stop waiting and just go for it.
2) You mistake comfort for contentment
For the longest time, I told myself I was happy with my routine.
I had my go-to coffee shop, my usual weekend plans, and a schedule that felt predictable and safe. But deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.
I wasn’t unhappy—but I wasn’t truly fulfilled either.
That’s when I realized that comfort and contentment aren’t the same thing. Just because something feels familiar doesn’t mean it’s what I actually want.
Free spirits crave growth and new experiences, but it’s easy to settle into what’s comfortable and convince ourselves it’s enough. The challenge is recognizing when routine is keeping us stuck instead of truly satisfied.
3) You wait for the “right” circumstances
You tell yourself you’ll make a change when things settle down.
When work is less demanding. When you have more money. When you feel more prepared.
But somehow, there’s always something in the way. Always another reason to wait.
The truth is, life will never hand you the perfect circumstances on a silver platter. There will always be responsibilities, uncertainties, and reasons to stay put.
Free-spirited people often believe they’re meant for more—but if you’re constantly waiting for the “right time,” you might wake up years from now realizing you never actually did the things you dreamed of.
4) You rely on external forces to shake things up
You love the idea of spontaneity, but instead of creating it yourself, you wait for something—or someone—else to bring excitement into your life.
Maybe you hope a friend will invite you on a last-minute trip, or that an unexpected opportunity will push you out of your routine. Maybe you think a big life change—like a new job or a move—will finally make you feel free.
But if you’re always waiting for something external to disrupt your routine, you’re giving up control over your own sense of adventure.
Free spirits don’t just crave new experiences—they create them. And sometimes, that means making the decision to shake things up yourself instead of waiting for life to do it for you.
5) You underestimate how small changes can shift your mindset
It’s easy to believe that breaking free from routine requires a massive life overhaul—quitting your job, traveling the world, making some bold, dramatic move.
But the truth is, even the smallest changes can reawaken your sense of freedom.
Studies have shown that doing something as simple as taking a different route to work or switching up your daily habits can improve creativity and mental flexibility. Yet, most of us stick to the same patterns without question.
If you’re feeling stuck, maybe you don’t need a huge, life-altering decision. Maybe you just need to start doing little things differently—and let those small shifts open the door to something bigger.
6) You judge yourself for feeling stuck
You tell yourself that if you were truly free-spirited, you wouldn’t feel this way.
You wouldn’t get stuck in routine. You wouldn’t feel restless or frustrated. You’d just be out there, living life exactly how you imagine it.
But feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’ve lost your free spirit—it just means you’re human.
We all fall into habits. We all struggle with comfort zones.
And sometimes, even the most adventurous souls need a reminder that breaking free isn’t about being perfect—it’s about recognizing when it’s time to make a change and giving yourself permission to do so, without guilt or self-doubt.
7) You forget that freedom is a choice
You don’t have to wait for the right timing, the perfect opportunity, or some grand reason to change things.
You can choose to do something different today. Right now.
Freedom isn’t just about circumstances—it’s about mindset. And the moment you stop waiting and start choosing, you’ll realize it was never as far away as it seemed.
Bottom line
If you see yourself in these behaviors, it doesn’t mean you’re not a free spirit—it just means you’re human.
Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’ve lost your adventurous nature. It simply means that, somewhere along the way, routine took over. And that’s something you have the power to change.
You don’t need a drastic life overhaul to reclaim your sense of freedom. Sometimes, all it takes is a small shift—a new choice, a different perspective, a willingness to step outside your comfort zone.
So start where you are. Say yes to something unexpected. Break one habit that no longer serves you. Trust that freedom isn’t something you have to chase—it’s something you can choose, every single day.
