Break free from "shoulds" and start prioritising what you enjoy

Feeling stuck in a life that doesn’t truly feel like yours? Do you spend your days buried under a pile of "shoulds"—doing what’s expected of you rather than what actually brings you joy? If so, do you want to change that?

The weight of “should”

Without realising it, many of us spend our lives following an invisible rulebook. We wake up early because we "should" have a perfect morning routine. We take on responsibilities because we "should" be the reliable partner, parent, business owner, or friend. We say yes to things we don’t want to do because we "should" be helpful, accommodating, and available.

But here’s the thing: "Should" is heavy. It drags you down, leaves you exhausted, and slowly disconnects you from the things that light you up inside. When your life is dictated by "shoulds," there’s little room for what truly matters to you.

What are you prioritising?

I talk to many people—whether in personal coaching sessions or group programs—who tell me they don’t have time to do what they enjoy. Their days are packed, their energy is drained, and they believe they simply can’t fit in what makes them happy.

I ran a poll on Instagram asking people if they consistently prioritise what they enjoy. I expected the "yes" responses to be low, but I was shocked when the results came in at 0%.

No one felt they were consistently making time for what brings them joy.

Instead, their days were consumed with obligations, expectations, and an underlying belief that they couldn't prioritise themselves—whether due to time constraints, feelings of guilt, or a sense of unworthiness.

Does this sound like you?

Are you constantly caught up in what you "should" do instead of what you want to do?

Do you feel like you have to earn the right to enjoy your life by being productive enough, successful enough, or helpful enough first?

If so, I have good news: You don’t have to live this way.

Living well starts now

When you live according to "shoulds," you create internal stress that builds up over time. It will impact your mental wellbeing, your physical health, and your overall happiness. But you don’t have to accept this as your reality.

Starting today—right now—you can begin prioritising something that brings you joy. It doesn’t have to be a massive life change. It can be something small, something simple. Honestly, starting small isn’t a weakness; it’s a smart and sustainable approach.

Think of it like working out. You don’t start by lifting the heaviest weights or running a marathon. You begin with manageable steps that build your strength over time. And this is no different.

What will you prioritise today?

Take a moment right now to choose one thing that brings you joy. Write it down in your Live Well Life Planner or journal, and commit to making it happen today.

And if you feel resistance creeping in—if your inner critic tries to convince you that you don’t deserve to put yourself first—remind yourself:

It’s okay for me to prioritise what I enjoy.

This is your life. You get to choose how you live it. So why not start choosing you today?

Need Support? If you want guidance in making these shifts, I'm here to help. Reach out and let’s talk about how you can start creating a life that feels fulfilling, aligned, and yours today.