“The most important act of free will is to believe in free will.” — William James

We often forget that we can choose.
Not because someone took that ability away — but because we’ve stopped using it.

When life gets busy, when expectations pile up, when systems are designed to make “no” uncomfortable, we start saying “I have to” instead of “I choose to.”
And little by little, our sense of agency fades.

Psychologists call this learned helplessness — when we stop trying because we believe our actions no longer matter.
But they do. Always.

Becoming an essentialist means remembering that truth — that choice is always available, even if it feels buried under pressure, fear, or habit.

Here are 4 ways to live more intentionally 👇

1️⃣ Shift your language.
Every time you say “I have to”, replace it with “I choose to.”
It may sound small, but it changes everything — it reminds your brain that you decide.

2️⃣ Pause before saying yes.
Create space between the request and your response.
Freedom often lives in that pause.

3️⃣ Reconnect with your values.
Choosing what matters most helps you stop reacting to what matters least.

4️⃣ Believe in your own free will.
As William James said — that belief itself is the first act of freedom.

Because your ability to choose can’t be taken or given away —
you can only forget it.
And remembering it might just be the most powerful choice you ever make.

#Essentialism #MindsetShift #PowerOfChoice #Resilience #SelfAwareness #PersonalGrowth