Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is "free spirit" an insult?

32 replies

lojanto · 06/04/2024 22:58

The other day somebody said I am a "free spirit". They said it in a nice way and I took it as such.

However, my friend said that is insulting and they must see me as kooky/odd. I don't think I am either of those things.

What type of person would you describe as a free spirit?

OP posts:
Pickledf · 06/04/2024 23:05

KrisAkabusi · 06/04/2024 23:05

Are you a vegetarian, yoga-teaching hippie with an original Volkswagen camper?

Who owns at least one pair of Lucy and Yak dungarees

KrisAkabusi · 06/04/2024 23:05

Are you a vegetarian, yoga-teaching hippie with an original Volkswagen camper?

Pickledf · 06/04/2024 23:04

I feel it depends

I have used it to people who are just a bit weird but you of course can’t say that.

KidsandKindness · 06/04/2024 23:04

If I were to refer to someone as a 'free spirit', I would see them as someone who is able to be themselves among others, and not be afraid of showing that, ie, someone who perhaps likes to do artistic things, which other people may not 'get', but doesn't try to hide their interests in order to fit in with their peers.

meganorks · 06/04/2024 23:02

For an adult, probably a person who doesn't have a standard 9-5 job, likes to travel, maybe not tied down by mortgage/kids/spouse

HelloMiss · 06/04/2024 23:00

Don't badly behaved and un-parented kids get called free spirits?

By the doting oblivious parents..

namechangeasparanoid · 06/04/2024 23:00

I think it's a compliment. But that's probably because I get told it a lot too ConfusedSmile