Ancient Wisdom, Modern Life: Søren Kierkegaard on Embracing Existential Freedom

The Wisdom

“Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.” – Søren Kierkegaard

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: freedom isn’t as freeing as it sounds. Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher, saw it coming long before any of us got caught up in our modern “freedom” chase. His words, “Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom,” hit like a punch to the gut because they make us question something we all take for granted: the idea that freedom is automatically liberating. In fact, for Kierkegaard, freedom wasn’t the answer to life’s problems—it was the cause of our deepest anxiety.

You see, when you have the freedom to choose, you also have the burden of responsibility. The vastness of possibility is overwhelming. Every decision you make reflects who you are—and every wrong turn feels like a rejection of the right path. Kierkegaard argued that as soon as we realize that we are the ones who create meaning in our lives, the weight of that responsibility can feel paralyzing.

Freedom isn’t just about being able to do whatever you want. It’s about choosing your path, and with that comes the terrifying realization that you’re the one who must make it work. There’s no safety net, no clear road map. This is where anxiety creeps in. The more freedom we have, the more decisions we have to make—and the more we realize just how much is at stake.

Why This Matters Now

In today’s world, we’ve convinced ourselves that freedom is the ultimate goal. The pursuit of freedom—freedom from constraints, freedom to do what we want, freedom to define ourselves—is what drives so much of what we do. We spend our lives seeking more autonomy, more choices, and more control. Yet, deep down, we are more anxious than ever. The more freedom we think we have, the more we feel lost.

You feel this, right? You want to make decisions. You want to break free. But every time you make a choice, there’s this nagging feeling that you might be getting it wrong. What if you chose the wrong path? What if you missed out on something better? What if this freedom you sought is actually trapping you?

Kierkegaard’s wisdom shakes us out of this illusion. He’s reminding us that the very freedom we so desperately want also comes with the reality of responsibility. You’re not free from consequences. In fact, it’s your choices that define you. And if you don’t embrace this existential freedom—if you don’t step into it fully—you’ll remain stuck in a cycle of anxiety and indecision.

We can no longer keep blaming the world for our discomfort or anxiety. The source of your anxiety isn’t outside of you—it’s inside of you. It’s the realization that your life is yours to shape, and that’s both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. But instead of running from this fear, Kierkegaard calls us to lean into it. It’s only by confronting the anxiety of freedom that we can truly embrace it and live authentically.

The Practice: 3 Ways to Apply This Wisdom Today

1. The Responsibility Reframe: Own Your Choices

What is it?
Kierkegaard believed that freedom came with the weight of responsibility. The Responsibility Reframe is about accepting that you are the author of your own life. No one else is responsible for your choices but you. And that’s empowering.

How to do it:
Every time you face a decision, ask yourself:
* “Am I avoiding this decision because it feels too big or too scary?”
* “How can I take full ownership of this choice?”
* “What does this decision say about who I am and what I stand for?”
Instead of passing the buck or letting fear drive you, own your choices—big or small. Accept that each choice you make is a reflection of your values, and it’s a step toward creating the life you want.

Why it works:
Kierkegaard’s existential philosophy is all about owning your freedom and the responsibility that comes with it. When you stop avoiding your decisions and start embracing them, you stop feeling anxious and paralyzed. You become the person who shapes their destiny, not the person who waits for life to happen to them.

2. The Fear Embrace: Lean Into Anxiety

What is it?
The Fear Embrace is about facing the anxiety that comes with freedom. Instead of running from it or numbing it, you accept it as part of the human experience. Anxiety isn’t something to fight—it’s something to embrace.

How to do it:
The next time you feel anxiety creeping in, don’t push it away. Instead, ask yourself:
* “What is this anxiety trying to tell me?”
* “How can I use this anxiety as fuel to make a decision, rather than avoiding it?”
Sit with the discomfort of not knowing, of not having a perfect plan. Acknowledge the fear, breathe into it, and let it guide you toward clarity.

Why it works:
By embracing the anxiety of freedom, you start to dissolve its power over you. Kierkegaard’s wisdom tells us that anxiety is a natural byproduct of our freedom. The more we try to avoid it, the more it controls us. When we lean into it, we gain the power to make clear, intentional decisions.

3. The Authenticity Challenge: Live According to Your True Values

What is it?
Kierkegaard didn’t believe in living a life dictated by others. The Authenticity Challenge encourages you to align your choices with your true self, not with society’s expectations or external pressures.

How to do it:
Reflect on your life:
* “Am I living in alignment with my deepest values, or am I just going through the motions?”
* “What would my life look like if I followed my true desires, not what others expect from me?”
* “What would it take for me to be more authentic in my choices today?”
Consciously choose one area of your life—whether it’s work, relationships, or personal goals—and make a decision that aligns with your authentic self, no matter how uncomfortable it might feel.

Why it works:
Kierkegaard knew that only by living authentically could we truly embrace freedom. When you live according to your values, your choices reflect who you really are. And that’s when the anxiety of freedom transforms into the exhilaration of living a truly meaningful life.

How Kierkegaard’s Wisdom Applies to Contemporary Life

In a world that’s constantly pushing us to “have it all,” Kierkegaard’s message feels almost countercultural. We are taught that more options, more freedom, and more choice will lead to happiness. But the truth is, more freedom often means more anxiety, more responsibility, and more pressure.

But here’s where Kierkegaard stands apart from the noise: he says freedom doesn’t just mean doing whatever you want. It means owning your choices, living authentically, and accepting the anxiety that comes with it. He challenges us to stop running from life’s difficult decisions and to start embracing them fully. Only when we stop avoiding the weight of freedom can we truly find peace and purpose.

In today’s world of constant distraction, where we’re told we can be anything and do anything, Kierkegaard forces us to confront the deeper question: Are we living authentically? It’s easy to get lost in the chaos of endless choice. But true freedom comes when you embrace responsibility, face your fears, and make decisions that align with your deepest values.

The Result

Kierkegaard’s wisdom isn’t just philosophical—it’s practical. When you start owning your freedom, you stop being paralyzed by choice and start embracing it. You’ll find that the anxiety you feel is no longer something to avoid, but something that drives you to live with intention.This isn’t about avoiding hard decisions—it’s about facing them head-on, with the full awareness that you are the one creating your life. The result? A life lived with purpose, authenticity, and, ultimately, peace.