Honor Your Authentic Wants to Unleash True Fulfillment

You scroll through social media—everyone’s living the life they want, you think. Yet you’ve been asleep at the wheel, living a life scripted by others. Remember your childhood? You once cried until the family lavash made you hot chocolate after school. You knew what tasted good. But somewhere along the way, you learned that wanting things was selfish, risky, or childish. Fast forward: you hesitate to say “I want that promotion,” “I want a longer vacation,” or even “I want to retire my student loans.”

But desires are signposts to your soul. They’re not frivolous; they’re, in fact, guides to what brings you joy—micro-moments that light you up. It might be a brisk walk at dawn, a page from a sci-fi novel, or buying those cool retro headphones. Every suppressed want shrinks your sense of possibility.

Start small. Ask, “Right now, what would excite me?” Then lean into that choice. It might feel strange—like removing your blinders—but that’s a good thing. Neuroscience shows that honoring micro-desires sparks dopamine surges, igniting your motivation to pursue bigger goals.

Tonight before bed, whip out a notebook and make your “I Want” list—no filters, no guilt. First thing tomorrow morning, choose two alternatives—oatmeal or pancakes?—and lean into the one that sparks an inner smile. During lunch, glance at your growing list of 20 joyful pursuits, then pick one for this evening or weekend. Feel the spark? That’s your authentic self whispering, “I’m here.” Honor it, and watch how your entire day—and life—begins to light up.