Most of us feel trapped between two voices:

One telling us to work harder, achieve more, and sacrifice now…

And another telling us to slow down and enjoy life before it’s too late.

In this episode of The Struggle podcast, I explore what I call The Freedom Fallacy — the belief that freedom only exists in the future once success is achieved.

This episode breaks down:

• What the Freedom Fallacy really is

• Why it appears in the “messy middle” of any ambitious project

• The psychological cost of postponing life

• How to struggle toward freedom without burning out

• Why presence, joy, and rest are not distractions but part of the journey

This is not a productivity hack.

It’s a lens for living.

If you’re working hard for a better future but feel like you’re missing your life right now, this episode is for you.

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🎧 Topics covered:

Freedom vs struggle

Burnout and regret

Delayed gratification

Meaning and purpose

Ambition and presence

Psychology of motivation

If this resonated with you, subscribe for weekly episodes exploring psychology, philosophy, and the struggle for a meaningful life.

“The answer lies in the struggle.”

Conceptual influences (not quoted):

• Viktor Frankl – Man’s Search for Meaning (meaning through struggle)

• Friedrich Nietzsche – “He who has a why…”

• Carl Jung – individuation and psychological tension

• Cal Newport – Deep Work / burnout & meaningful effort

• Oliver Burkeman – Four Thousand Weeks (time and life balance)

• Zach Talender – “Space Cadet” metaphor (credit clearly as inspiration)

• Self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan) –autonomy, competence, relatedness

📺 Watch The Struggle

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@GregorSThomson?si=wTfFwPVYKhJxKAsD

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