how to know what you want

Step 1. Establish a context of stillness / calm

Might mean getting a full night's sleep

Might mean meditating for 15 mins, or going for a walk

Might mean going to a cabin in the woods

Step 2. List out your options

List out all the pros/cons as well, so those are in the mix

Step 3. See how each option feels in your body

Go through each option. Notice how it feels in your body. Take your time to notice. One option might light you up more than the others

Sometimes it's useful to do this check-in multiple days in a row to see if anything varies. It's normal to have some variance, e.g. if you're tired, you might favor less ambitious options. Though if you start with stillness (and not stimuli) it should be less varied

P.S. If your true desires are still subconscious, if you do morning pages long enough, they'll probably come out (e.g. how Elizabeth Gilbert discovered she wanted to learn Italian)

Step 4. Give yourself permission to pursue what you want

What's best for you is what's in the direction of joy. Trust! Everything else will generally figure itself out.

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If you like this, you'll enjoy The Joy Diet by Martha Beck. If you could use more joy in your life, give her a shot, she's one of my fave influences