Existentialists believe that personal freedom is important, but it can be tricky.

Freedom can be great because it allows people to make their own choices. However, it can also lead to big responsibilities that cause feelings like anxiety, loneliness, and sadness.

The Weight of Choices

1. Being True to Yourself:

   • Freedom lets people discover who they really are and make choices that show their true selves.
   • But because you have so many options, it can be hard to choose a path. This might lead to feeling stuck or regretting the choices you didn’t make.

2. Feeling Anxious:

   • With freedom comes the weight of personal responsibility.
   • Knowing that you are completely responsible for your choices can be scary. People might worry that their decisions affect not only them but also those around them.

Feeling Alone Because of Freedom

1. Being Separate from Others:

   • When freedom focuses on personal choice, it can make people feel isolated.
   • Since existentialism teaches that everyone creates their own values, it can make it hard to connect with others who share the same beliefs.

2. Different Morals:

   • The ability to define right and wrong for yourself can create feelings of being an outsider.
   • Some individuals may struggle to connect with others who follow traditional values, making friendships more difficult.

The Burden of Responsibility

1. Worry About Making Mistakes:

   • Every choice is important. If someone fears making a wrong decision, they may hesitate, which can lead to feeling stuck in life.
   • The fear of failing can stop people from taking chances that might help them grow and be happy.

2. Feeling Guilty:

   • With freedom also comes the chance to feel guilty. People might regret their choices as well as how those choices affect others.
   • This guilt can hold back personal growth and keep individuals from moving forward in life.

Ways to Cope

1. Accepting Uncertainty:

   • It helps to recognize that life can be uncertain and that this is okay.
   • When people realize that making mistakes is part of life, they can let go of the pressure to be perfect.

2. Connecting with Others:

   • Building real relationships can help fight feelings of loneliness.
   • By reaching out to others, people can share their experiences and feel less alone in their choices.

3. Establishing Personal Values:

   • Creating personal values can help make decisions easier and reduce anxiety about having too much freedom.
   • By thinking about what truly matters to them, individuals can feel more comfortable making choices that suit them.

In summary, existentialists understand the power of personal freedom, but they also recognize that it comes with challenges. Finding a balance between freedom and responsibility takes work, but by accepting uncertainty, connecting with others, and creating a value system, individuals can navigate through the complexities of their choices.