When “Should” Becomes “Want”

Grab a piece of paper. Write out everything that feels pressing on your to-do list. Just write. Don’t edit yourself. Put it all down, from the annoying household chores to the business tasks that keep looping in your head. Space the words out evenly so the page has room to breathe.

Now go back in with a pen.

Circle the words that align with want. These are the things that carry energy. Not “I should go for a walk,” but “I want to go for a walk.” Circle those.

Next, underline the words that align with a real should. These are the non-negotiables. The DMV. A tax deadline. Anything with actual consequences if it’s ignored.

Now look at what’s left. The words without a circle or an underline are neither wants nor real shoulds. They’re just noise. Cross them out. Let them go.

Take a breath. Look at the page again.

Pick one should and one want. Just one of each. Start there.

Keep the wants on the list so you stay fueled. Little by little, check off the true shoulds. Only add new ones when they’re actually necessary. Changing “Should” to “Want,” when it applies, steps back the pressure and restores agency.

Ryan