What Do You Want?

Written By Leith McHugh

This session focused on getting clear about what we truly want in our lives – and becoming more intentional about moving toward it, without pressure, practicality, or needing all the answers.

Our conversation was an invitation to shift attention away from what isn’t working or what we don’t want, and instead give ourselves permission to name what we do want. Simply allowing space for this – without editing or explaining – can create clarity and movement.

WATCH BELOW or LISTEN HERE

As you watch or listen, use the prompts below the video to follow along and stay in motion.

If you’d like to access the call chat, you can do so here.

  • We began with a simple writing exercise, repeatedly starting sentences with “I want…” and letting the list unfold freely.

    Wants could be big or small, concrete or emotional, and could include areas like:

    • Health and wellness

    • Work and career

    • Finances

    • Relationships

    • Time, pace of life, and lifestyle

    • Joy, creativity, and how we want to feel

    The goal was not to be strategic or polished – just honest.

  • After writing, we reread our lists and circled one or two needs that felt especially alive, meaningful, or tender. These often pointed to areas asking for attention right now.

    We also noticed how our bodies responded as we read and circled – often the body offers insight before the mind does.

  • We then chose one want and spent time imagining what it might look like if it were already part of our lives.

    We explored:

    • What a regular day might feel like

    • How our bodies might feel

    • What we might be doing more of

    • How the pace or tone of our days might shift

    This step was about clarity and curiosity, not commitment.

  • We identified an intention connected to our chosen want and named one small, doable step that supports it. The emphasis was on gentle movement – staying in relationship with what we want rather than forcing change.

    • What do we want more of in this season of our lives?

    • Which want feels most meaningful or alive right now?

    • What shifts when we allow ourselves to focus on what we do want?

    • How can we stay gently oriented toward this without pressure?

    • What is one small step that supports what matters to us?

    Reminder.

    What we want is allowed.
    It can evolve.
    Staying curious and intentional about it is enough.

    You are worthy to receive this. 

    You deserve this.

  • What we want is allowed.
    It can evolve.
    Staying curious and intentional about it is enough.

    You are worthy to receive this. 

    You deserve this.

  • I move forward boldly and trust myself completely. 

  • May this new year unfold with light and promise.

    May your body feel strong, your mind feel clear

    and your heart remain open to possibility.

    May you awaken with purpose in your breath

    and rest at night knowing you did enough.

    May opportunity meet your effort,

    patience walk beside ambition,

    and challenges sharpen you

    without ever hardening you.

    May laughter arrive often and stay awhile.

    May love, old and new, grow deeper, truer.

    May you give freely without losing yourself,

    and receive fully, without hesitation.

    And when the road bends without warning,

    may you trust the strength you’ve earned

    and the wisdom you carry to guide you.

    May this be a year of steady growth,

    honest joy, and gentle courage,

    a future that feels not only hopeful,

    but open and welcoming too.

    ~ 'A New Year's Blessing' by Spirit of a Hippie 

     Mary Anne Byrne

Featured resources

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Featured resources 〰️

On this call, I mentioned our family intention-setting night. Below you can learn more about this practice, and how to adapt it for your own life.

  • Why We Do This

    We set intentions each year to pause and get intentional about the life we’re living and the life we’re creating.

    This night gives us space to slow down, reflect, and ask ourselves what actually matters—rather than letting the year happen on autopilot.

    When we name what we want, write it down, and speak it out loud, our brains begin to look for it. The brain does not know the difference between what is real and what is imagined—it goes after what we put in front of it and finds what it’s looking for.

    Setting intentions helps us:

    • Clarify what we want more of

    • Notice what’s already working

    • Align our choices with our values

    • Stay connected to hope, possibility, and growth

    • Support and witness each other’s dreams

    This isn’t about forcing outcomes or getting everything “right.”
    It’s about creating direction, awareness, and openness—so we can recognize growth, opportunities, and surprises as they unfold throughout the year.

    Each year, when we look back, we get to see how much life met us along the way—often in ways we never could have planned.

    That’s why we keep doing this. 


    When
    Sometime during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day

    Where
    After dinner, gathered together in the living room—cozy, relaxed, and unhurried

    What to Bring
    -     Pens, markers, paper, journals, phones, tablets, computers—whatever feels good to you
    - Soft music playing in the background 🎶
    - An open heart and a willingness to dream

    Who’s Invited
    Our family—and sometimes close friends or loved ones who feel like family

    🌱 The Intention Time (about 30 minutes)

    We like to begin with Gratitudes & Appreciations - so spending about 5 minutes writing down all that you appreciate and are grateful for in the moment.
    (Option to share here). We always keep sharing optional. 😊

    If you did Intentions the previous year - you may go around and share what came about from that year.

    Then take about 30 minutes of quiet, individual time to reflect and write. There’s no right or wrong way to do this. Write words, lists, phrases, drawings—whatever works for you.

    Write them out in PRESENT or PAST tense, keeping them POSITIVE and in first person - avoiding words like no don’t, can’t, won’t, etc.
    BE SPECIFIC about amounts/dates/times per week, etc.

    ✍️ Gentle Prompts

    -     What do you want more of in your life this year?
    - What do you want to invite in or grow?
    - If time, money, and fear were not an issue… what would you dream of experiencing or having this year?
    - What would feeling healthy, grounded, and alive look like for you?
    - What kind of relationships do you want to nurture?
    - What kind of work, creativity, or purpose feels meaningful?
    - What sounds fun, adventurous, or joyful?
    - Where do you want to travel, explore, or try something new?

    If it helps, you can reflect through these areas:
    - Health & Wellness
    - Work or School
    - Relationships & Community
    - Spiritual Life or Inner Growth
    - Fun, Play & Adventure
    - Travel & Experiences

    Dream big. Be honest. Let yourself imagine.

    🧠 Reminder: The brain does not know the difference between what is real and what is imagined - it goes after what you put in front of it. It finds what it’s looking for.

    SO DREAM BIG…UNEDITED, UNFILTERED!

    📸 Keep It Alive

    - Take a picture of what you wrote or save it where you can remember it
    - Ask each other about it throughout the year
    - Keep it in front of you - so you revisit it from time to time

    💬 Sharing Circle

    Once everyone is finished, we go around and share—only what feels comfortable.

    - We listen without fixing, judging, or comparing
    - We celebrate each other’s hopes and dreams
    - We hold space for one another




    🌺  A Beautiful Tradition

    Each year after the first, we begin the night by looking back:

    - We read or talk about last year’s intentions
    - We notice what unfolded, what surprised us, and what came to life
    - We celebrate growth—both big and small

    💭 Closing Thought

    This night isn’t about pressure or perfection.
    It’s about presence, connection, and intentionally setting our hearts toward what matters most.

    Go gently, go kindly, go with love.

Leith McHugh

Leith is a connector, inviter & truthteller.

She has been married for over 32 years and has three offspring.

One thing that makes Leith jump out of bed every day is supporting humans in living a vibrant and abundant life that is in alignment with themselves, their intentions, and values, by giving them practical tools to implement in life so they can begin to LIVE DIFFERENT.

https://www.leithmchugh.com
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