LifeStyle Untethered is the act of living a free life. Free in thought and action. In historical terms, the freedoms peoples of the Western democracies have inherited is unique. Technological advances have given modern generations leisure time, with the ability to create lifestyles undreamt of only a few generations ago. It is reputed that, of all the people who have ever lived, only 6% live today. Living in a free democracy puts you as one of the luckiest people to have lived – think about that.
With all this abundance of free time and opportunity, what do we do? Waste our free time away in front of the television or the 24/7 toxic world of social media. Work jobs we hate when there has never been more opportunity to work differently. I believe that work should fit around our lifestyle, not the other way round: this is the philosophy around which I choose to live. Now more than ever, with the intrusion of social media, we follow a herd mentality that at times resembles mass hysteria.
Can we really live a life untethered like this? To free the bonds we create for ourselves and live a true LifeStyle Untethered, we must step back from the crowd, study the words of those wiser than ourselves and take action to create a LifeStyle Untethered. I hope this gallery gives food for thought. Life is a journey, not a conveyor belt.
LifeStyle Untethered:
‘Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.’ — Confucius
The quote suggests that there are two extremes in human behaviour: the wise and the foolish. The wise individuals possess a deep understanding of life, learning from experiences, adapting to new information, and evolving their thoughts and actions accordingly. They recognise that change is a fundamental aspect of existence and embrace it as part of their growth.
On the other hand, foolish individuals are characterised by their inability or unwillingness to change. They may cling to outdated beliefs, resist new ideas, or fail to learn from their mistakes. This stubbornness can lead to stagnation in personal development and an inability to navigate life’s complexities effectively. The quote by Confucius highlights that only those at either extreme—truly wise individuals who adapt continuously or foolish ones who refuse to evolve—remain unchanged throughout life’s journey. Most people exist within a spectrum where growth through change is essential for personal development.
LifeStyle Untethered:
‘The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone’ | Henrik Ibsen
This quote underscores the power of being true to oneself. It conveys that genuine strength arises from independence. Here, self-sufficiency is depicted as a formidable quality. This perspective questions the conventional belief that strength lies in numbers. It suggests that having personal beliefs is a significant source of power.
The message advocates for self-dependence and inner fortitude. It also emphasises the bravery needed to walk alone. This concept promotes resilience found in solitude and encourages the pursuit of one’s distinct journey. Ultimately, it prioritises personal integrity over fitting in. Like the term “lone wolf”, it describes individuals who thrive in solitude and prefer independent action over teamwork. While this personality type may face challenges in social settings or leadership roles due to their anti-authority tendencies and preference for solitude, it also comes with strengths such as creativity, self-awareness, and resilience. Embracing the characteristics associated with being a lone wolf can lead individuals toward personal fulfilment and authentic living.
LifeStyle Untethered:
“Every time we fall in love, we ascend to heaven” Rumi
The quote “Every time we fall in love, we ascend to heaven” by Rumi, as interpreted through the teachings of Shams of Tabriz in Elif Shafak’s novel The Forty Rules of Love, suggests that the experience of love elevates one’s spiritual state and brings them closer to a divine, blissful existence. This ascent to “heaven” is not a physical destination but a profound internal transformation and a heightened state of being that transcends earthly concerns.
This concept is deeply rooted in Sufi philosophy, which emphasizes the transformative power of love, particularly divine love. Shams of Tabriz, Rumi’s spiritual mentor, conveys this idea through various rules that highlight the internal nature of spiritual experience and the profound connection between love and the divine.