What do you think?
Rate this book
Freedom Seeker: Live More. Worry Less. Do What You Love.
Do you feel stressed, exhausted and weighed down by responsibility? Are you itching to do something different, but don't know what or how? Is fear holding you back from living the life you want?
Beth Kempton went from being a life-loving, risk-taking adventurer to a grown-up, settled-down mother, wife and business owner, before realizing the life she had built was suffocating her. She set out on a journey to find personal freedom, and along the way encountered many others who were also feeling trapped - by their circumstances, relationships, finances, beliefs, doubts and fears.
Freedom Seeker brings together the insights, techniques and wisdom that Beth learned on her journey to freedom, including her unique system of 8 Freedom Keys which will help you to:
· Get clarity on what really matters to you
· Figure out how to live the life you want, whatever your circumstances
· Make a shift from worry and fear to feeling alive and inspired
· Find the courage and confidence to shape your future
· Reignite old passions, and discover new ones
· Feel much freer, and happier, every single day
Full of profound lessons, powerful exercises and?inspiring tales, this honest and courageous book will help you to live more, worry less and find a way to do what you love, every day.
Beth Kempton went from being a life-loving, risk-taking adventurer to a grown-up, settled-down mother, wife and business owner, before realizing the life she had built was suffocating her. She set out on a journey to find personal freedom, and along the way encountered many others who were also feeling trapped - by their circumstances, relationships, finances, beliefs, doubts and fears.
Freedom Seeker brings together the insights, techniques and wisdom that Beth learned on her journey to freedom, including her unique system of 8 Freedom Keys which will help you to:
· Get clarity on what really matters to you
· Figure out how to live the life you want, whatever your circumstances
· Make a shift from worry and fear to feeling alive and inspired
· Find the courage and confidence to shape your future
· Reignite old passions, and discover new ones
· Feel much freer, and happier, every single day
Full of profound lessons, powerful exercises and?inspiring tales, this honest and courageous book will help you to live more, worry less and find a way to do what you love, every day.
Audiobook
First published April 4, 2017
126 people are currently reading
1111 people want to read
About the author
Beth Kempton
13 books362 followers日々是好日 - Every day is a good day (Zen proverb)
Beth Kempton is a Japanologist and a bestselling self-help author and writer mentor, whose books have been translated into 24 languages, who loves uncovering life lessons and philosophical ideas buried in Japanese culture, words and ritual.
Beth has two degrees in Japanese and has spent many years living and working in Japan, which she considers her second home. Over the years she has studied Japanese papermaking, flower arranging, pottery, noren-making, calligraphy, the tea ceremony, and weaving. Collectively these experiences have led to a deep love of the country and a rare understanding of Japanese cultural and linguistic nuances. She has been inhaling the magic and mystery of Japan - and been influenced by its philosophy and aesthetics - for over two decades.
A qualified yoga teacher and Reiki Master trained in Tokyo, she also has an incurable addiction to chocolate and Japanese stationery. Beth lives a slow-ish life near the sea in Devon, England, and is currently working on her fifth book, ‘Kokoro: Japanese wisdom for a life well-lived’, a follow up her earlier bestseller ‘Wabi Sabi’
Beth is the mother of two small girls who fill her with joy every single day.
https://bethkempton.com
https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com
IG @bethkempton
Facebook/Twitter @dowhatyoulovexx
Beth Kempton is a Japanologist and a bestselling self-help author and writer mentor, whose books have been translated into 24 languages, who loves uncovering life lessons and philosophical ideas buried in Japanese culture, words and ritual.
Beth has two degrees in Japanese and has spent many years living and working in Japan, which she considers her second home. Over the years she has studied Japanese papermaking, flower arranging, pottery, noren-making, calligraphy, the tea ceremony, and weaving. Collectively these experiences have led to a deep love of the country and a rare understanding of Japanese cultural and linguistic nuances. She has been inhaling the magic and mystery of Japan - and been influenced by its philosophy and aesthetics - for over two decades.
A qualified yoga teacher and Reiki Master trained in Tokyo, she also has an incurable addiction to chocolate and Japanese stationery. Beth lives a slow-ish life near the sea in Devon, England, and is currently working on her fifth book, ‘Kokoro: Japanese wisdom for a life well-lived’, a follow up her earlier bestseller ‘Wabi Sabi’
Beth is the mother of two small girls who fill her with joy every single day.
https://bethkempton.com
https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com
IG @bethkempton
Facebook/Twitter @dowhatyoulovexx
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 26, 2017
Freedom Seeker is truly a must read . Since i started reading this book i have had one light bulb moment after the other. How did i not realise i have been caged all this time?? . i have all i think i need , food, shelter , my bills are paid !! So why do i feel like something is always missing ??? should i be doing more?? what or who is holding me back from being free as a bird as it were .... do i feel caged because of those well meaning family members who determine i should be doing more with my life am i not living up to my potential?? .... or societies view of me and people in general ?? . So many questions and so many insights in this book. This book is truly an eye opener in more ways than i can imagine and changed my way of thinking on how i perceive my life, my surroundings and people around me .I'm looking forward to a free' er me if thats even a word .You should get it . Beth Kempton definitely #nailedit in this book Multiple thumbs up from me!!!
January 6, 2024
Freedom is the willingness and the ability to choose your own path and experience your life as your true self. p7
If we don't communicate who we really are and connect with others who appreciate us, we risk remaining forever trapped.
p94
The key is recognizing when you are trapped, and then knowing how to escape.
from the prologue xiii
Beth Kempton has gathered together what she has gleaned from her years of seeking into a method. The 8 freedom keys she gives are for hacking your way out of the constrictions that may be holding you hostage.
When we start believing our own stories, they reverberate from all directions, and we reinforce a version of ourself that is not the whole truth. p36
One of the strengths of this book is BKs no nonsense approach which veers away from mysticism and appeals to spiritual commonsense.
Sometimes we have spent so long in the cage it feels safer to remain inside. p9
Sure we need to be grateful, but it's dangerous to be grateful for the wrong things, for the wrong reasons. If your trapped in a cage, you don't want to be grateful for the protection of the bars. p6
Current with the times, BK offers on line resources and support groups. For old skeptics like me, this is a refreshingly accessible and unpretentious approach.
It's important to escape the cage before you try to fly. p12
If we don't communicate who we really are and connect with others who appreciate us, we risk remaining forever trapped.
p94
The key is recognizing when you are trapped, and then knowing how to escape.
from the prologue xiii
Beth Kempton has gathered together what she has gleaned from her years of seeking into a method. The 8 freedom keys she gives are for hacking your way out of the constrictions that may be holding you hostage.
When we start believing our own stories, they reverberate from all directions, and we reinforce a version of ourself that is not the whole truth. p36
One of the strengths of this book is BKs no nonsense approach which veers away from mysticism and appeals to spiritual commonsense.
Sometimes we have spent so long in the cage it feels safer to remain inside. p9
Sure we need to be grateful, but it's dangerous to be grateful for the wrong things, for the wrong reasons. If your trapped in a cage, you don't want to be grateful for the protection of the bars. p6
Current with the times, BK offers on line resources and support groups. For old skeptics like me, this is a refreshingly accessible and unpretentious approach.
It's important to escape the cage before you try to fly. p12
April 11, 2017
This book really nourished my soul. About a year ago I realised I was unfulfilled in my life (not in a big way, just an underlying 'meh' feeling that I tried to suppress). I was bountiful in ideas to adventure, explore, pause and make change, and felt so encouraged by everyone around me (my partner, my colleagues, my family, even my bosses) but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't make the real change I needed on my everyday life. A piece of the puzzle felt missing, until I read Freedom Seeker.
Turning the pages I realised what I lacked all along was clarity on what really matters to ME. I guess I'd never given my own life and how I'm steering it much thought before reading Freedom Seeker. As someone who more often than not puts other people's needs before my own, this book gave me the sense of permission I so desperately needed, to make my own choices and to prioritise self-care.
Not only did I experience this clarity... but the stories, the tools to live by every day (or 'Freedom Keys' as they're called in the book), and the profound questions and exercises the author Beth shares through the chapters made me dissect every inch of my life and piece it back together with a renewed sense of control, excitement and empowerment.
I'm on the road to living more, worrying less and doing what I love. Really. I never thought a book could change me before. And if I can get this much from it, everyone else needs to read this or it's a 'colossal waste of human potential' as the book quotes.
(PS, I've just bought a copy for my sister now as she is facing fears of redundancy in her job. I'm almost certain it will help her escape her fears).
Turning the pages I realised what I lacked all along was clarity on what really matters to ME. I guess I'd never given my own life and how I'm steering it much thought before reading Freedom Seeker. As someone who more often than not puts other people's needs before my own, this book gave me the sense of permission I so desperately needed, to make my own choices and to prioritise self-care.
Not only did I experience this clarity... but the stories, the tools to live by every day (or 'Freedom Keys' as they're called in the book), and the profound questions and exercises the author Beth shares through the chapters made me dissect every inch of my life and piece it back together with a renewed sense of control, excitement and empowerment.
I'm on the road to living more, worrying less and doing what I love. Really. I never thought a book could change me before. And if I can get this much from it, everyone else needs to read this or it's a 'colossal waste of human potential' as the book quotes.
(PS, I've just bought a copy for my sister now as she is facing fears of redundancy in her job. I'm almost certain it will help her escape her fears).
April 27, 2017
From time to time, we all get caught up in the tangle of yarn in our heads; whether it be creative, personal or business related (or all three). Sometimes you have to re-organize and alter the path you are on to make sense of it all. This can be rather intimidating and a more than a little frightening. This well written and insightful book is immensely helpful in and aiding you with putting together a plan of action and succinctly untangling your thoughts. It will assist you in overcoming the intimidation and gives you the tools to face your fears head on, one step at a time. It has become the guide book for my creative path. Really a wonderful book and I can't recommend it enough for anyone who is feeling stuck.
Read
July 18, 2020I just love Beth Kempton's writing. She is wise and reflected, and has a beautiful way with words.
This book was interesting, thought provoking and wise. I would recomend having a journal next to it so you can write down your thoughts as you read through it. It provides a lot of journal prompts in each chapter, and it makes you go really deep into your needs and wants from life. It can be a great tool getting it alI out on paper. I skipped the journaling the first time I read it, and got back to the prompts later on. It is a great book to just read without writing aswell.
Beth's view on things really spoke to me, so I have learned a lot from these pages. I would recomend it to everyone who needs clarity and needs the sense of freedom in their life :)
This book was interesting, thought provoking and wise. I would recomend having a journal next to it so you can write down your thoughts as you read through it. It provides a lot of journal prompts in each chapter, and it makes you go really deep into your needs and wants from life. It can be a great tool getting it alI out on paper. I skipped the journaling the first time I read it, and got back to the prompts later on. It is a great book to just read without writing aswell.
Beth's view on things really spoke to me, so I have learned a lot from these pages. I would recomend it to everyone who needs clarity and needs the sense of freedom in their life :)
June 14, 2021
Absolutely the best book I have read on self help. Can't recommend this highly enough.
March 8, 2021
The book in 3 sentences/summary:
Do what you love and you’ll be happy
Follow the 8 freedom keys to achieve this
Take chances and follow your passion
My impressions:
I’m not convinced by Freedom Seeker, as a book it falls flat in a few key areas.
It tries to tackle a very vague topic like freedom in so many different ways that it feels rushed, unorganised and lacking in substance.
The author frequently makes up words or phrases like ‘freedom keys’, ‘freedom seekers’ and ‘kindrovert’. By doing this, she removes you from the message or the lesson and makes it less convincing.
It reads as quite self-indulgent I’m sorry to say. She tells a lot of her own stories which take up perhaps 70-80% of the book. Leaving very little room for practice advice and actually just work to add more pages to the book.
I’m sad to say that Freedom Seeker was a disappointment. It’s filled with surface-level advice which fails to go deep into important topics and instead leaves you feeling no better off having read it.
Should you read it? (who would benefit from this):
I wouldn’t recommend this book to you unless you’re particularly interested in reading a few motivational stories and you’re not interested in the reality of those stories.
What I personally got from the book:
I got one piece of practical advice from the book which I will put into practice and that’s to create a ‘flight fund’. This fund, or pot of money, is something you add to over time and set aside on the off chance that one day, you might want to change tact completely and turn your life into something different. That fund would allow you to do it.
Do what you love and you’ll be happy
Follow the 8 freedom keys to achieve this
Take chances and follow your passion
My impressions:
I’m not convinced by Freedom Seeker, as a book it falls flat in a few key areas.
It tries to tackle a very vague topic like freedom in so many different ways that it feels rushed, unorganised and lacking in substance.
The author frequently makes up words or phrases like ‘freedom keys’, ‘freedom seekers’ and ‘kindrovert’. By doing this, she removes you from the message or the lesson and makes it less convincing.
It reads as quite self-indulgent I’m sorry to say. She tells a lot of her own stories which take up perhaps 70-80% of the book. Leaving very little room for practice advice and actually just work to add more pages to the book.
I’m sad to say that Freedom Seeker was a disappointment. It’s filled with surface-level advice which fails to go deep into important topics and instead leaves you feeling no better off having read it.
Should you read it? (who would benefit from this):
I wouldn’t recommend this book to you unless you’re particularly interested in reading a few motivational stories and you’re not interested in the reality of those stories.
What I personally got from the book:
I got one piece of practical advice from the book which I will put into practice and that’s to create a ‘flight fund’. This fund, or pot of money, is something you add to over time and set aside on the off chance that one day, you might want to change tact completely and turn your life into something different. That fund would allow you to do it.
April 27, 2017
You when you pick up a book, you just know you have to read it yet are a little hesitant to read it as you know life will never be the same again? That is me with this book. At first that concerned me, but the more I take in, the more I listen to Beth (through her words on the page, through her voice on the supporting videos, through her feedback so freely and openly offered on her Facebook page) the more I am at ease and assured that what I feel is what many others caged like me feel. To me, it is a book to absorb slowly, to stop and start, to let the words, ideas and wisdom sink in. I actually get butterflies reading it. This book has flown to me at the time most needed in my life. To Beth, I will forever be grateful that she has shared her story so freely and openly. And never before have a felt so supported reading a life-changing book. It is exciting, especially exciting to be a freedom seeker, one of many, looking to fly free, together supported by Beth and one another.
December 31, 2017
Beth did an amazing job organizing and laying out a detailed map of how to escape monotonous, boring, schedule-crazed, real-world life (living in a cage). Learning all of the keys that help to release yourself and then boldly letting yourself fly and seek your adventures and all the dreams you've given up on provides a new clarity and open mindness to those who think/believe they are doomed to the caged life of their circumstances. Great read and motivation to get moving, get out there, break the norm, and go have an adventure!
March 7, 2021
Loved the concept. I really enjoyed reading the book. The keys of freedom are very good to understand and helpful. Beth has a way of captivating the reader, or that’s how I felt while reading it. It was good concepts to help progress out struggles within on our daily life. I’m currently working on a few with some of the freedom keys. I greatly suggest reading this book. It will help you get clear decisions on something you are struggling.
April 28, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's a great reminder that we create our own realities and that we have the power to choose to feel free. The book is filled with practical tips and many stories/examples of what freedom looks like to different individuals. The journaling prompts are very helpful as well!
April 28, 2017
I really enjoyed this book.
Freedom Seeker is an inspiring collection of stories, lessons and exercises to help people identify and achieve the freedom they want in their lives.
It's a book I know I'm going to read more than once, in fact I bought the audio version as well as the paperback so that I can keep it on hand!
Freedom Seeker is an inspiring collection of stories, lessons and exercises to help people identify and achieve the freedom they want in their lives.
It's a book I know I'm going to read more than once, in fact I bought the audio version as well as the paperback so that I can keep it on hand!
May 15, 2017
I loved every minute of this book! Beth has a gift, and I'm so thankful she shares it with the world. There's so much wisdom in these chapters, and the journal entries are perfect real life application. I'll be referring to these pages for years to come.
January 13, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book. It's full of great ideas and I feel like it have incorporated some of them into my life. I would definitely recommend it. Perhaps I'll even go back and reread it one day.
April 24, 2017
This book is a reminder that you in many ways can choose the way you want to live. (It is not easy, but you can!)
And that in itself gives a sense of freedom :-)
And that in itself gives a sense of freedom :-)
April 29, 2017
Loved it! Speaking straight to my heart and mind. I loved the exercises and my new found freedom. Thank you Beth Kempton
April 29, 2017
Wonderfully inspirational with real life applications for finding happiness and doing what you love.
May 24, 2017
Seek no more I've found it
Freedom is a mind set as Beth Kempston explains. A well written book with lots of opportunies to reflecting the way
Freedom is a mind set as Beth Kempston explains. A well written book with lots of opportunies to reflecting the way
June 11, 2017
This book arrived just at the right time. It sounds like an oversimplification at first, but it is not.
August 3, 2018
Good book about choosing those things that are
Most meaningful.
Most meaningful.
May 25, 2018
This was a good self-help book. It was one of the books I won from Goodreads Giveaways. Thank you Beth! I enjoyed the book and found much of the advice resonated for my experience with an earlier part of my life. I gave it a 3/5 because I feel like much of the examples and stories had advice for and by well off people. Maybe I am wrong about this but in that sense I felt it resonated a bit less. Here are a few qoutes that I liked:
“When you carve out the time and space to recharge, you emerge a restored version of yourself. This isn’t necessarily about living quietly. It’s about getting quiet, so when your life speaks it does so with strength, clarity and beauty.“
“Adventure is a mindset. It’s about seeking out the unknown in all parts of your life. It’s a thirst for freshness. It’s an active pursuit of inspiration. It’s the thrill of pushing yourself in new territory.“
“At the end of the day all we have is the sum of the precious moments we hold close, and so many of them are born from a place of playfulness and curiosity.”
“Creativity is imagination at work – it’s the most soulful way we can express our deepest selves, and embrace beauty and possibility. It’s the realization of something that didn’t exist in a particular form before you made it that way. It’s proactive: making things and making things happen.”
“Every minute of every day, the ego and soul are doing battle. When courage is absent, the ego keeps on winning. But when courage is present, the soul wins, every time.”
“Mess births beauty. Chaos is progress.”
“And that is the difference between power and control. Freedom is about harnessing your power while letting go of the need to always be in control.“
“It’s the same if you are the subject of your own worries. Try being empathetic with yourself, treating yourself as you would a dear friend. Listen, try to understand what’s at the heart of the issue, and be gentle on yourself. Show yourself you care. Be kind. Give yourself a bunch of flowers. Make some tea. Write yourself a thoughtful note.”
“I thought about when I was at my most energized and creative, fizzing with potential, and realized I come alive in small gatherings of kindred spirits: people who are both practical and spiritual, challenging and yielding, gentle and strong. People who are smart and funny, but not ‘in your face’. People who listen and share, but don’t try too hard. People who would rather say nothing then talk about nothing, but come alive in real conversation. And I know I’m not alone.“
“Turbulence is part of the experience of life. It’s one of the ways we grow. Sometimes you will learn a lesson that takes you closer to your true self. Sometimes it’s about finding a way to deal with the pain.“
“In Japan there is a traditional craftsmanship called kintsugi, which is the art of repairing broken pottery using lacquer dusted with gold. This philosophy embraces the shattering as part of the rich history of the object. And so it can be with us. We don’t have to hide the cracks and the broken bits. They are part of who we are becoming.“
“When you carve out the time and space to recharge, you emerge a restored version of yourself. This isn’t necessarily about living quietly. It’s about getting quiet, so when your life speaks it does so with strength, clarity and beauty.“
“Adventure is a mindset. It’s about seeking out the unknown in all parts of your life. It’s a thirst for freshness. It’s an active pursuit of inspiration. It’s the thrill of pushing yourself in new territory.“
“At the end of the day all we have is the sum of the precious moments we hold close, and so many of them are born from a place of playfulness and curiosity.”
“Creativity is imagination at work – it’s the most soulful way we can express our deepest selves, and embrace beauty and possibility. It’s the realization of something that didn’t exist in a particular form before you made it that way. It’s proactive: making things and making things happen.”
“Every minute of every day, the ego and soul are doing battle. When courage is absent, the ego keeps on winning. But when courage is present, the soul wins, every time.”
“Mess births beauty. Chaos is progress.”
“And that is the difference between power and control. Freedom is about harnessing your power while letting go of the need to always be in control.“
“It’s the same if you are the subject of your own worries. Try being empathetic with yourself, treating yourself as you would a dear friend. Listen, try to understand what’s at the heart of the issue, and be gentle on yourself. Show yourself you care. Be kind. Give yourself a bunch of flowers. Make some tea. Write yourself a thoughtful note.”
“I thought about when I was at my most energized and creative, fizzing with potential, and realized I come alive in small gatherings of kindred spirits: people who are both practical and spiritual, challenging and yielding, gentle and strong. People who are smart and funny, but not ‘in your face’. People who listen and share, but don’t try too hard. People who would rather say nothing then talk about nothing, but come alive in real conversation. And I know I’m not alone.“
“Turbulence is part of the experience of life. It’s one of the ways we grow. Sometimes you will learn a lesson that takes you closer to your true self. Sometimes it’s about finding a way to deal with the pain.“
“In Japan there is a traditional craftsmanship called kintsugi, which is the art of repairing broken pottery using lacquer dusted with gold. This philosophy embraces the shattering as part of the rich history of the object. And so it can be with us. We don’t have to hide the cracks and the broken bits. They are part of who we are becoming.“
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2023
Hm, read this after enjoying Wabi Sabi and Fearless Writer but didn't enjoy it so much. There's a few useful exercises, but it's too overly simplistic and naively optimistic for my liking. I'm not so sure that Kempton understands what it is to be truly stuck, especially when the cage isn't necessarily of your own making. Of course, if you have the money and resources to free yourself, then were you ever really stuck?
If you have a chronic illness or disability, or care for a loved one who does, or you're trapped in poverty and debt, or have left an abusive relationship (or are trying to), I'm not sure I'd recommend this book. For one thing, we can't all afford to jump on a plane and fly across the globe to go off on an art retreat, or even a holiday. For another - a lot of carers and single mothers really don't have any support, don't have anyone who can step in and take over while we take time out.
I felt that the 8 "Freedom Keys" became less detailed as the book progressed, particularly when it came to ideas as to how to activate them. Sure, I need to activate my "Enterprise and Initiative" Key, but I have absolutely no idea of how to do this within my current circumstances.
The more I learn about the impact of trauma, the harder it becomes to stomach so much of the "personal development" genre. Particularly when someone who has clearly led a fairly privileged life (and I'm not singling Kempton out here, I'm referring also to previous reads) and has not experienced trauma, is urging the reader to choose adventure, be bold, embrace risk, don't let fear hold you back etc. However for some of us it would be nice to have the luxury of choosing an adventure rather than constantly battling for survival. Some of us would love to know what "safe" feels like, rather than "risk" even more. Personally I was left feeling frustrated and a little defeated rather than free.
If you have a chronic illness or disability, or care for a loved one who does, or you're trapped in poverty and debt, or have left an abusive relationship (or are trying to), I'm not sure I'd recommend this book. For one thing, we can't all afford to jump on a plane and fly across the globe to go off on an art retreat, or even a holiday. For another - a lot of carers and single mothers really don't have any support, don't have anyone who can step in and take over while we take time out.
I felt that the 8 "Freedom Keys" became less detailed as the book progressed, particularly when it came to ideas as to how to activate them. Sure, I need to activate my "Enterprise and Initiative" Key, but I have absolutely no idea of how to do this within my current circumstances.
The more I learn about the impact of trauma, the harder it becomes to stomach so much of the "personal development" genre. Particularly when someone who has clearly led a fairly privileged life (and I'm not singling Kempton out here, I'm referring also to previous reads) and has not experienced trauma, is urging the reader to choose adventure, be bold, embrace risk, don't let fear hold you back etc. However for some of us it would be nice to have the luxury of choosing an adventure rather than constantly battling for survival. Some of us would love to know what "safe" feels like, rather than "risk" even more. Personally I was left feeling frustrated and a little defeated rather than free.
February 12, 2023
This book contains an approachable way to take a different view of your life, discover what is holding you back and consider ways to get more of what you love into your life.
There is no need to rewrite your life completely; you don't have to give everything up and travel to the other side of the world, or make any grand gestures to do this. All you might need to do is to rearrange your routine or think about the job you are already doing and how you can make tweaks to incorporate things that bring you more alive into your daily life.
I spent a lot of my twenties and thirties travelling, working abroad and having (mis) adventures and I sometimes feel I have lost touch with that (in some ways) freer version of me. After reading this book, I am pleased to see that I am further along the road to making her acquaintance again than I realised, as well as to discovering my own authentic, individual freedom which is something the younger me may not have had so much of. I also have a roadmap for the rest of the trip.
After I finished reading this, I went into the kitchen and the first song I heard on the radio was REM's Swan, Swan, Hummingbird - a coincidence I really treasured after all the bird imagery in this book!
The one thing I would caution is that the author talks a lot about her young family and her partner, as this was her experience and the foundation of the book. Some people may find this triggering although on balance, one of the freedom seekers whose story is included is CNBC.
There is no need to rewrite your life completely; you don't have to give everything up and travel to the other side of the world, or make any grand gestures to do this. All you might need to do is to rearrange your routine or think about the job you are already doing and how you can make tweaks to incorporate things that bring you more alive into your daily life.
I spent a lot of my twenties and thirties travelling, working abroad and having (mis) adventures and I sometimes feel I have lost touch with that (in some ways) freer version of me. After reading this book, I am pleased to see that I am further along the road to making her acquaintance again than I realised, as well as to discovering my own authentic, individual freedom which is something the younger me may not have had so much of. I also have a roadmap for the rest of the trip.
After I finished reading this, I went into the kitchen and the first song I heard on the radio was REM's Swan, Swan, Hummingbird - a coincidence I really treasured after all the bird imagery in this book!
The one thing I would caution is that the author talks a lot about her young family and her partner, as this was her experience and the foundation of the book. Some people may find this triggering although on balance, one of the freedom seekers whose story is included is CNBC.
Read
May 31, 2021FREEDOM SEEKER: LIVE MORE. WORRY LESS. DO WHAT YOU LOVE.
I wrote this book when I was feeling trapped in a cage of my own making. In writing it, I set myself free. I hope in reading it, the same will happen to you. Writing it was a really precious experience,not just because it was my first book, but because it taught me that I was not alone in my sense of stuckness.I discovered that there was a pattern to the way we trap ourselves, and in the book I share what I learned about how to escape. This book will particularly resonate with anyone who is juggling work, life and a small family, because that was my situation as I wrote it. It explores big themes like adventure and aliveness, and quieter themes like finding headspace and heartspace. I can’t tell you how many people have written to me saying that this book changed their life. Someone even had the chapter illustrations tattooed on their arm as a reminder of the power of choosing freedom. I’d love to hear how it resonates with you.
My first book, Freedom Seeker, is all about living more, worrying less and doing what you love. Through my own experiences, and the stories of inspiring people who have come through tough challenges, I explore how to become unstuck, and fly free. Freedom Seeker has received over 400 five star reviews on Amazon US/UK and has had a deep and lasting impact on many readers.
I wrote this book when I was feeling trapped in a cage of my own making. In writing it, I set myself free. I hope in reading it, the same will happen to you. Writing it was a really precious experience,not just because it was my first book, but because it taught me that I was not alone in my sense of stuckness.I discovered that there was a pattern to the way we trap ourselves, and in the book I share what I learned about how to escape. This book will particularly resonate with anyone who is juggling work, life and a small family, because that was my situation as I wrote it. It explores big themes like adventure and aliveness, and quieter themes like finding headspace and heartspace. I can’t tell you how many people have written to me saying that this book changed their life. Someone even had the chapter illustrations tattooed on their arm as a reminder of the power of choosing freedom. I’d love to hear how it resonates with you.
My first book, Freedom Seeker, is all about living more, worrying less and doing what you love. Through my own experiences, and the stories of inspiring people who have come through tough challenges, I explore how to become unstuck, and fly free. Freedom Seeker has received over 400 five star reviews on Amazon US/UK and has had a deep and lasting impact on many readers.
August 7, 2022
I am just finishing this book after a big gap in starting it last summer. Such brilliant concepts and guidance in how to free yourself from your cage and how to take flight with your hopes and dreams truly inspiring. This book changed my life and my thinking last year. It took a while to be ready to complete the book, but now I understand why, I just wasn’t in that place to take flight yet! This is a book I will revisit.
August 15, 2025
Inspirational & Aspirational
Beth lays out an actionable way to figure out what freedom means to each of us individually and provides a path to bring more of it into our day to day. She shares her own stories of adventure and the trials and triumphs of others on their quest for freedom. This book is both uplifting and actionable. I loved it, and I know I’ll revisit it.
Beth lays out an actionable way to figure out what freedom means to each of us individually and provides a path to bring more of it into our day to day. She shares her own stories of adventure and the trials and triumphs of others on their quest for freedom. This book is both uplifting and actionable. I loved it, and I know I’ll revisit it.
December 29, 2021
Still got to do some of the exercises but I have already got a lot out of this book. I have done a lot of Beth's writing courses and wanted to know what her own writing was like. This is very much in the spirit of her courses and as such is thought provoking, welcoming and inspiring.
August 30, 2022
This is a very relatable book that is filled with wisdom on how to take steps towards feeling more free. Includes little stories of freedom seekers experiences and is well written, a book you can have nearby and pick up as and when you need.
September 25, 2022
l enjoyed reading this book, lots of ideas to think about and try. l am a great believer in people following their passions, and l have read many books where people have done this and thrived. This book l shall re-read and work through the chapters one by one.
January 14, 2025
I found Beth Kempton from her podcast, but this book has been insanely transformative. This book came to me in a great point in my life, and I keep a short list of my most used freedom keys on hand, just to remind myself not to make a cage where there needn’t be one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews