Breaking Free: Beyond What You're Told to Be

By Jericho Christian Ang

I am truly fascinated by the concept of divinity, the unknown sovereign force that exceeds human understanding. The unknown—the fact that there exists something greater than our own existence—is both beautiful and terrifying. Imagine a universe governed by freedom and perfection. Think about the belief in ideal perfection.  The heart of this type of wonder lies in my drive to seek meaning beyond what reality limits me. 

I value my philosophical mind. In a world that enforces productivity, performance, and contribution, I often ask: Why must we always stay and dwell with reality, to the point it disregards what our potential can do? I am not saying we should try to delude ourselves and escape our moral responsibilities, but to perform a quiet rebellion against the imposed limits of the surface-level ideal.

But why is it so important to be philosophical at times? Why is it beneficial to detach yourself from reality occasionally?

Every great innovation, every revolution, every artistic masterpiece began with the idea to break free from regulatory conventions. Policies, regulations, trends, scientific progress—they are all carved from our philosophy. Every day, I fill my mind with thoughts. These thoughts generate new ideas, assume and imagine endless possibilities, and exceed the normal ideals of a human.

I once visited a quiet park, all alone—no noise, no competition, no expectations. I felt as if for the first time, after standing all my life, I sat down. There were no responsibilities to hold, no expectations to reach. It was just me and the world. I recognized what I was missing: the need to break free.

That time at the park allowed my soul to exceed my own societal norms. I walked with no destination, took the time to breathe, and observed the slow rhythm of the world. All that made me realize: I was not just a student, or a person, or a name listed in legal documents—I was a vessel of perfection, a soul searching for meaning. And in that incident, I felt truly free.

That is the importance of breaking free, not just to simply take a break from social responsibilities and societal norms but to step into the boundary you never knew existed. To fully embrace what our true purpose is to be.

Although we are all restricted by responsibilities, our inner world is something that we must take care of. If you and I never let our minds stretch beyond the present moment, we would lose our humanity and our true purpose on Earth.

You can call me delusional, but my so-called “delusions” are proof that I am alive. Creativity isn’t just for entertainment; it’s the purpose that forces us to progress to change. And when we dream of something that is seemingly impossible, we carve meaning into our lives

In a world demanding practicality, realism, expectations, and conventions, I choose to wonder. I strive to exceed my potential. Because meaning is not defined by our social status or wealth—it’s something we must create. Not through realism, but through reflection. Not to appeal to the crowd, but to alleviate oneself through philosophy.

Ask strange questions. Accept your delusions. Dream the Impossible.

Strive not just to live, but to cultivate the true definition of your life.

Break free.

Jericho Christian Ang wrote this piece in partial fulfillment of the 2025 Pathways Creative Nonfiction class assignment taught by Mikael Borres.