I Am Free and That is Why I am Lost

Oct 2, 2024

The words:

are often attributed to the Czech writer Franz Kafka even though there is no direct proof that he said these words. No matter if he said that or not, the meaning that stands behind it is important.

The Solid Direction

Throughout life, as human beings, we follow certain rules and paths laid by somebody else. By following them it is inevitable to have the sense of having a direction in our life. Feeling that gives us stability.

Wake up for work at 7:00 AM.

Pick up the kids from school at 1:00 PM.

The company I work for will take care of the business, and I will do the job given to me, and I will be paid by the end of the month.

I will put 200 British Pounds in my savings account every month and in 10 years I will save enough for my two kids to go to a good college.

The list can go on and on.

Sometimes that path gives us the feeling of having a solid foundation beneath us.

Life Without Predefined Paths

However, let’s imagine a different life.

You quit your job and no longer rely on somebody else to set rules for you. Instead, you want to become an entrepreneur, build a business and earn money – ideally, a lot of it, so that you can provide a good life for your family.

You are no longer obligated to wake up early.

There is no company, CTOs, CFOs, etc. to set the schedule for you and there is no certainty that you will be paid by the end of the month.

You are on your own and no one sets rules for you. You have the complete responsibility for yourself and your actions and you are the one who has to set the rules and choose the path in front of you.

As Haruki Murakami says in his book “Kafka on the shore”:

Those who are free, can wander because they have the option to choose different paths. However, this comes with its cost.

It can lead to a sense of disorientation or uncertainty.

• Freedom: Kafka points to an unrestricted state, devoid of external bindings or commitments. It’s an indication of liberation.
• Lostness: However, this emancipation can also lead to a sense of disorientation or lack of direction.

The absence of structure and guidance that restrictions often provide, could cause an individual to experience purposelessness or a lack of meaning. The statement encapsulates the contradiction inherent in freedom – while it empowers one to choose their own course, it can also induce a lack of clear trajectory or self-identity. Kafka seems to imply that the very liberty we long for could also lead to feelings of being detached or adrift.

Entrepreneurship and Responsibility

I am sure we could write an entire book on this topic and delve into deep philosophical questions; however, I want to focus on one specific aspect.

If you decide to become an entrepreneur, or you are one already, sooner or later you will inevitably feel a sense of being lost. This is simply because the wide array of choices you could make does not present a clear trajectory, and you may face dilemmas over your self-identity. This may manifest in various ways – feelings of being lost, depression, a sense of meaninglessness, etc.

The good news is that this is merely a feeling, akin to a warning light – an indicator that is telling you one thing: You have a choice. Do you want to take responsibility for your life and make a decision, or do you want to remain where you are and continue feeling lost?

By the way, do you know what often happens when a person is given a large sum of money they didn’t work for, such as an inheritance or lottery winnings? There’s a high chance of depression, spending on vices such as paid sex or drugs, or making purchases like expensive cars, etc. A human being – when in a self-identity crisis and unable to make responsible choices – usually veers in these directions.

So!

As entrepreneurs, who are accountable for our earnings and supporting our families, we will inevitably feel lost at times. However, to escape this, we need to make decisions and take responsibility.