One thing I’ve learned about myself in the last year or so is how much I shut down what I want.
Somehow the world taught me that what I want is not acceptable, that I should only want what seems reasonable, doable, or won’t inconvenience others.
So I rarely even acknowledge that I want something. I shut it down.
Here are just some of the reasons I tell myself I don’t want something:
- It’s not possible, so I don’t really want it.
- I don’t think I can achieve it, so focus on the doable.
- Others might be able to do it, but I can’t.
- I don’t have the discipline to stick to this, I can’t trust myself.
- I don’t have the money for it, it would be irresponsible.
- I don’t have time, I’m too busy.
- I would feel guilty if I allowed myself to have this.
- Other people would judge me if I gave this to myself.
- The other person would reject me if I asked for it.
- It’s too complicated.
- It’s not worth all the effort.
- I shouldn’t want this.
Do any of these sound familiar to you? Wanting something has become laden with judgment, fear, guilt, and self-doubt. And so we shut it down.
What if we could have whatever we wanted?
- Makan
- Mandi
What could you own that you want, regardless of whether you could actually have it?
What would you do if you decided you were going to make it happen?