Tag: freedom

A wheel is better than no wheel at all

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Photo by Taras Makarenko on Pexels.com

On July 15, 2024, I’ve had the driver’s license for three years. At first, I had my dad with me, but now I have to drive alone. If he wasn’t, I wouldn’t be the driver I am today. He gave me the courage to drive. Before, I drove alone a short way. The first time I drove alone was when I drove him to the hospital in January this year. I didn’t know then, but it was the last time he was with me in the car. Because of him, I wasn’t scared of driving alone. He taught me how to drive his car. It’s a manual, so you drive it a little differently. Before continuing, you can read an old post about getting the licence below.

Passed the test
Originally posted on July 16, 2021

It’s true that when you get a wheel under you, you feel freedom. In 2017, I didn’t think I needed a driver’s license, but my opinions changed. I didn’t like to drive when I first got my temporary license, so I didn’t finish driving school then. But how things change. I have driven longer distances, and the more confident I get, the more I enjoy it. I will still use the train or buses if I go even longer distances. My hands and legs get tired if I drive too far. All those long drives to the North of Finland that my dad had to do, I admire how he could manage all that driving. I couldn’t do it. It took almost 14 hours to drive there, rests included. We only went there once a year to ski, but that was enough. I probably won’t go there again, even if you can go by train. We did that a few times because Dad didn’t feel like driving that far the older he got. Dad also drove in Europe when I was 6 years old and then in Germany in 2008. I won’t do the same. I would be terrified driving on the motorway in Germany. Finnish motorways are enough for me.

You get used to driving when you do it often enough. At first, I didn’t like driving on the motorway or in traffic, but now it comes naturally to me. A wheel is better than no wheel at all. Owning a car isn’t cheap. I could rent, but that isn’t very convenient because I never know when I will need one. I could always be without a car, though. But then there wouldn’t be the same freedom that comes with having wheels. I’ve thought of buying a new car one day, but I got used to driving my dad’s car, so maybe not yet. If I replace it, it would feel like I’m hurting the car’s feelings. I know it’s only a car, but I was with Dad when he bought it, so it’s like a family member. We had it for years. It’s not in my name yet, so it’s not my car. I don’t think I know how to buy a car even if I’ve been with Dad at the car dealer. One thing is sure, once you have wheels, you can be without one again.

Looking for a freedom

Mia2 Comments

freedom person jump
Made in Canva

If you didn’t know the blog title is a song with David Hasselhoff. Actually, he was my hero when I was a kid. As Michael Knight mostly in Knight Rider. I loved the car K.I.T.T. He was once in Finland when he was in the TV show. There was also the replica of the car. Everyone is looking for a freedom. Free to be whoever they want to be. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same rights. That’s totally another story that I won’t get into. In a way, I’ve been lucky my parents didn’t tell me what to do or what to become. I could be whatever I felt like. I also live in a country where you’re allowed to be yourself. There are rules of course so it’s not complete freedom. Here we have choices but it’s up to you how you handle things. No country is perfect.

Unemployment is a big issue. They say it has got better but I think that’s just propaganda. Maybe in some occupations but everyone can’t become nurses or work in construction. No employer wants to hire someone with no work experience. If you’re not young, internships are under a rock. Some say that is not even work experience. But that’s all I have so my chances are thin. Life experience doesn’t seem to mean anything in working life. A lot of people are frustrated with not getting hired no matter what they do. They can have years of experience and yet they get nowhere. That’s far from freedom. If you have a job, be happy you have one. Everyone needs a purpose in life. It’s even harder for an unemployed to find work because there are those with jobs that also wants to find a new job. It seems unemployed is a second citizen. The longer you’re out of work, fewer chances you have. That isn’t right. Do we forget how to work? Maybe some don’t even bother learning something new but there are those who have educated themselves. Unemployed are not made of the same mould as politicians seem to think. Not everyone can be entrepreneurs either.

For me, freedom is one of the most important things. Especially after I studied web design and had a few clients. The thought of not having to go and work for someone else sounded so tempting. I’m still in the should I or should I not- stage. I can’t decide. My cousin started her nail art business this year and she already got clients. She’s a bit like my dad. She didn’t hesitate to start her own. That’s what I lack. I think and think but I don’t do anything. It’s been over a year since I did anything in web design so maybe I forgot all about it. Her line of work is different from mine and she already had a job. I’ve got too many hang-ups. I think too much about what I could lose than thinking what I could gain. When I look at what’s out there in the job world, the requirements they want is someone with 2-5 years or 5-10 years of experiences. And a web developer. I just don’t have it. The competition in the design world is though too so there’s so much you need to do. I’m just too introverted for that. The easiest way would be just to accept my faith that I’ll never find a job. Or have the courage to start a business of my own. Making decisions shouldn’t be this hard. I wish I had the courage to just start things because that’s freedom and that’s what I’m looking for.

Notable by a few

Mia1 Comment

underground signI’ve never been a person who seeks attention. I’m always in the shadows looking out. I guess it’s because I’m shy. But I’m also an introvert. We don’t like being in the spotlight. I don’t even see a reason for it. I only want to be notable by a few. When I was a child I didn’t want to join groups. My mother took me to a gym class but I didn’t join the other kids. My sister was the opposite. Her hobby was gymnastics and she loved it. I didn’t feel comfortable around others. I was quite sensitive too. Even my own parents didn’t understand why. I’m just built that way. I still prefer doing things alone because then I get things done the way I’ve planned it.

I want to keep my independence. What I fear the most is losing my freedom. It would take a really special person to tide me down and I don’t see that happening. Even then I would still want to have my independence. A lot of people want to be dependent on others. They want to find companionship because they don’t want to be alone. That’s why they desperately use dating services and such. I could be wrong though. But I have standards and very picky. I actually like being alone. Life is so much more than relationships. Everyone isn’t cut for that. Some are meant to be alone. Rather that than wasting time on the wrong person. Besides, there are so many things I haven’t done yet. Another person would just be in the way.

It seems it’s a requirement to be noticed by other people. If you’re not showing your face on every social media platform, your chances are low. It goes with job search, getting friends or even getting followers on your blogs etc. On Pinterest, there’s a lot of these tips how to get followers on social media. How to sell your brand to other people. Since when have humans become products anyway. The whole concept of branding feels so alienating to me. I can’t brand myself. I want to be a nobody. I don’t want to be notable that much. I want to be notable for my writing and the things I do. By some that are. I don’t want to be famous. If I wanted to brand a business, it would be different. But now they want you to be a brand in job search too. Soon there is no room for reserved and quiet people. In job interviews, you have to be the actor/actress but without a script. I’m acted on stage before but then I knew what to do or say. I can’t be pretentious in real life. I’m not that good. My talents lay elsewhere. I rather miss an opportunity than pretend to be someone else.

People who like being notable, they should be allowed to do so. But don’t expect everyone wanting that much attention. We’re not all the same and we don’t want to be either. Being notable by a few should be enough.