Which specific area of your life——feels the most restrictive right now?
The external manifestations of this internal state are often characterized by a paradox of fear and dependency. While the individual may resent the forces that control them, the prospect of true freedom can be terrifying. Erich Fromm, in his analysis of the psychological roots of authoritarianism, touched upon the "fear of freedom." When one has lived with the "slave feeling," autonomy feels like a burden rather than a right. The structure of dominance provides a distorted sense of security; the chains are heavy, but they are familiar. Consequently, the individual may develop a complex relationship with authority, simultaneously resenting the oppressor while relying on them for definition and direction. It is a cycle of dependency that is difficult to break because the individual has lost the practice of self-governance. life with a slave feeling