When was the last time you asked yourself, What do I really want?
Not what you need to do, what others expect of you, or what would be sensible. Simply, what do you want?
It’s a surprisingly difficult question. We can become so accustomed to meeting responsibilities that we lose touch with our own wants and dreams.
The 100 Wants Exercise is a simple way to reconnect with them.
What Is the 100 Wants Exercise?
The challenge is to write down 100 things you want in your life. They can be big or small, practical or frivolous, achievable or seemingly impossible.
You might want to travel to Japan, learn Spanish, spend more time with friends, take up painting, have a beautiful garden, or simply enjoy more quiet afternoons.
There are no right or wrong answers. Don’t worry about how much something costs, whether it’s realistic, or what anyone else might think. Just write it down.
Why 100?
The first 10 or 20 wants may come easily. But as you approach 50 or 60, you may find yourself struggling for ideas.
That’s part of the point.
Moving beyond the obvious encourages you to dig deeper. You might rediscover an old dream, uncover a new interest, or recognize something you’ve been missing.
Your list may reveal patterns. Perhaps you want more adventure, connection, creativity, rest or purpose. You may also notice how often you’ve postponed something you want because other priorities came first.
The exercise isn’t a personality test. It’s an opportunity to become more aware of what matters to you now.
Does It Work?
Writing a list won’t magically make your wishes come true. Its value lies in what you learn from the process—and what you do next.
Once your list is complete, look it over. Which wants surprise you? Which keep appearing in different forms? What have you been putting off? What would make your everyday life more enjoyable?
Then choose two or three wants that particularly resonate with you. Think about one small step you could take toward each of them.
If you want more connection, invite a friend for coffee. If you want to explore a new country, start researching. If you’d like to be more creative, look into a class.
You don’t need to turn all 100 wants into goals. Some are simply things to dream about. Others may become priorities.
A New Question for the Second Half of Life
As we get older, our lives can change considerably. Retirement, an empty nest, the loss of a partner or simply having more freedom can prompt us to reconsider what’s next.
Instead of asking only, What should I do now?, try asking, What do I want this next chapter of my life to look like?
The 100 Wants Exercise gives you permission to explore that question without immediately worrying about how to make everything happen.
You may discover that you want more adventure, new friendships, a creative outlet or a quieter, simpler life. Whatever emerges, it’s a starting point for making more room for the things that matter to you.
So, what do you want?
Grab a notebook and start your list. Don’t stop at 10 or 20. See what you discover when you give yourself permission to imagine what’s possible.
