Two weeks of not writing. Two weeks of soaking up the sun, wandering through parks, and letting summer pull me away from the keyboard. It was blissful—until I caught myself saying out loud: “I miss writing.”

My friend I was with replied, “But you don’t have to write all the time.”
And I replied back, “True. But I want to.”

That one word—want—hit me like a wake-up call.

When Life Feels Like a Checklist

There was a time when my days were ruled by have to:

• I have to finish this project.
• I have to post a blog.
• I have to hit the gym.
• I have to save money.

Even though nobody was standing over me with a whip, I still felt weighed down. My goals, my choices—but framed as obligations, they became burdens.

The Moment It Shifted

One evening while journaling, I caught myself writing: “I have to write a blog.” Then I paused. Do I really have to? Who’s keeping score here? Who’s going to scold me if I skip it?
No one.
So I crossed it out and rewrote: “I want to write a blog.” Instant shift. The heaviness dropped. Suddenly it wasn’t pressure—it was passion. That’s when I realised: the words we choose carry the weight we feel.

Everyday Rewrites

Since then, I’ve been testing this tiny language swap in my daily life:

• Not “I have to work out” → “I want to move my body.”
• Not “I have to save” → “I want to build a secure future.”
• Not “I have to call home” → “I want to hear my mom’s voice.”

Even with travel—the thing I love most—I used to think: “I have to plan a trip this year.” Now I say: “I want to travel because it makes me feel alive, I want to see more places, enjoy my life fullest.”
The action doesn’t change. The energy does.

Why It Matters

Here’s what I’ve learned: I don’t thrive under “have to.” It feels like someone else is holding the pen of my life.
But “want to”? That’s freedom. That’s me choosing.
This shift keeps me writing because I want to share. It keeps me saving because I want a future I’m proud of. It keeps me kind to myself because I want growth, not guilt.

Try It Yourself

This week, catch yourself. Notice when you say, “I have to.” Swap it for “I want to.”
At first it may feel like a lie. But keep at it. Watch how your energy around the task changes—even if the task itself stays the same.

Final Words

Life already throws deadlines and obligations at us. Why pile on more by turning our own choices into chores?
I’m learning to live by this simple rule:
From “I have to” → “I want to.”
It makes everything feel lighter. Freer. And, most importantly—mine.