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Discipline is Freedom

Discipline is Freedom

Furkhan Dandia
October 21, 2025

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Discipline is Freedom

In a recent episode of EZ Conversations, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jay Heinrichs (Listen Here) about his work on rhetoric and persuasion—topics that deeply intersect with how I understand human behaviour and self-mastery. Jay shared how he used self-persuasion to recover from a serious hip injury and eventually run up a mountain in New Hampshire. Listening to his story, I was struck by how much his journey embodied the essence of discipline—not just as a habit, but as a mindset.

As we explored Aristotle’s classical ideas on rhetoric, we began to connect the dots between the art of persuasion and the science of discipline. For Jay, climbing that mountain wasn’t simply about physical endurance; it was about mental preparation—convincing himself to persist through discomfort. For me, it mirrored what I often see in my own clients, especially those struggling with depression and addiction: the constant negotiation between what we feel like doing and what we need to do.

How Discipline Shapes My Mental Health and Daily Life

After my conversation with Jay, I found myself reflecting deeply on how discipline has become the foundation of my own mental well-being. Many of my clinical sessions that week focused on addiction—how easily people fall into patterns of shame, avoidance, and hopelessness. It made me realize once again how essential discipline is in creating structure amidst the chaos.

Waking up early, following a morning routine, and keeping my commitments—even when I don’t feel like it—have become my anchor. These simple practices keep my mental health steady and my sense of purpose alive. When I start slipping out of my routine, I notice the difference almost immediately. I become less focused, less centred, and more vulnerable to distraction.

Some might say I’m too rigid, and perhaps there’s some truth to that. But I know the alternative all too well. When I lack structure, I drift. I lose connection to my purpose. So if discipline sometimes feels strict, it’s a kind of freedom through structure—a way to protect the parts of me that thrive on meaning and consistency.

What Science Says About Discipline and Mental Health

My reflections led me to look deeper into what research says about the relationship between discipline, habit, and mental health. Science continues to validate what I’ve experienced personally and witnessed in my clients.

Discipline isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency. Research shows that when we repeat certain behaviours in consistent contexts, they become automatic habits that support long-term well-being. A 2024 meta-analysis found that it typically takes between 66 to 90 days for a behaviour to reach automaticity when practiced consistently (Singh et al., 2024).

Another study found that when participants maintained goal-oriented habits over time, their sense of control and self-efficacy significantly increased (Van der Weiden et al., 2020). That sense of control—of doing something intentionally every day—is precisely what helps counter the helplessness so often seen in depression and addiction.

Moreover, studies have found that people with more substantial self-control experience lower levels of depression, anxiety, and irritability (Wang et al., 2023). In simple terms: when we follow through on what we say we’ll do, even in small ways, we build confidence and emotional resilience.

I also came across an article from the Lindner Center of HOPE that put it beautifully—discipline may seem uncomfortable at first, but it’s one of the strongest predictors of overall mental wellness. People who live with greater self-discipline tend to experience fewer symptoms of anxiety, addiction, and even obsessive-compulsive tendencies.

How I See This in My Clients—and in Myself

When I work with clients struggling with addiction, I often see how shame becomes a trap. It paralyzes action. Discipline, on the other hand, breaks that cycle by shifting the focus from “I’m broken” to “I’m doing something.” Even the smallest act of discipline—a morning walk, journaling, or showing up to therapy—begins to rebuild self-trust.

I’ve found the same pattern in my own life. During times when I’ve felt lost or disconnected, returning to disciplined action—prayer, reading, exercise, writing—has been my way out of stagnation. Each act of follow-through reinforces that I have agency over my life.

Research supports this idea through the concept of behavioural activation, which shows that action often precedes mood improvement. When people take action even before they feel ready, their brain begins to release reward chemicals like dopamine, gradually lifting mood and restoring motivation. Discipline, then, isn’t just psychological—it’s neurobiological.

The Link Between Discipline, Self-Persuasion, and Purpose

Jay’s story about using self-persuasion to push through injury resonated deeply with me. In a way, that’s what discipline is—a daily act of self-persuasion. I remind myself that I am someone who shows up, even when it’s difficult. Each day becomes an opportunity to re-establish my inner narrative: that I am capable, committed, and aligned with my values.

Through this lens, I see discipline as rhetoric in action. Just as Aristotle described persuasion through ethos, pathos, and logos, I practice the same within myself:

Ethos (credibility): I build trust in myself by following through.
Pathos (emotion): I reconnect with my deeper “why” when motivation fades.
Logos (reason): I remind myself logically why consistency matters.

This triad keeps me grounded. Discipline is how I embody my purpose—not as an abstract concept but as a lived experience, one decision at a time.

Practical Ways I Apply Discipline

Here are a few practices I use personally and share with my clients to strengthen discipline and improve mental health:

Start small. I focus on one or two habits at a time—like morning reflection or journaling—rather than overhauling everything at once.
Anchor habits to cues. I tie each action to something already in my routine (e.g., journaling after coffee). This helps it stick.
Track consistency, not perfection. I record small wins daily—it reinforces the narrative that I’m reliable to myself.
Stay flexible within structure. If I miss a morning practice, I make space later in the day. Discipline thrives on commitment, not punishment.
Connect to purpose. Before each day begins, I remind myself why I’m doing what I’m doing. Purpose fuels discipline.

What I’ve Learned

Looking back on my conversation with Jay, I realize that discipline, self-persuasion, and purpose are deeply intertwined. Jay’s climb up that mountain symbolizes the ascent we all face—internal or external. Every act of disciplined living is its own climb, with each step representing persistence over resistance.

When I said during the episode that I’d “rather be rigid than suffer,” I meant that I’d rather live intentionally than drift aimlessly. But I’ve also learned that discipline isn’t about punishing myself—it’s about liberating myself. It’s about choosing actions that align me with who I truly am, even when my emotions pull me elsewhere.

Discipline is the quiet voice that says, “Keep going,” even when motivation fades. It’s the bridge between rhetoric and reality—between what I say and what I do.

Final Thoughts

Discipline has been one of the most transformative forces in my life and in the lives of those I’ve worked with. It restores agency, builds confidence, and heals the fractured relationship we often have with ourselves. Whether through Jay’s story of self-persuasion or my own reflections in therapy, I’ve seen that discipline is not the enemy of freedom—it’s the path to it.

References

Singh, B., et al. (2024). Time to Form a Habit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
Gardner, B. (2012). Making health habitual: The psychology of “habit-formation” and general practice. British Journal of General Practice.
Van der Weiden, A., et al. (2020). How to Form Good Habits? A Longitudinal Field Study. Frontiers in Psychology.
Wang, Y., et al. (2023). The relationship between self-control and mental health problems among college students. Frontiers in Psychiatry.
Lindner Center of HOPE. (2023). Discipline – The Necessary Evil of Wellness!.

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Discipline is Freedom

Discipline is Freedom

How Discipline Shapes My Mental Health and Daily Life

What Science Says About Discipline and Mental Health

How I See This in My Clients—and in Myself