During a blogging event organized by Judith Peters, called Blogtoberfest, I was presented with the idea of writing a “personal” blog post in which I list a kind of bucket list (a “to-want” list) for the next quarter and explain why.
Why I don’t write a to-want list
She invites us to write a “to-want” list instead of a “to-do” list, which is an exciting approach of rewiring our brain. I often talk about how crucial the words we use are because they affect how we actually feel. And yet there is a strange feeling. It’s as if we’re just sugarcoating the whole thing without changing anything at its root. However, the more I thought about the question, the “to-want” list became a “want” list and then a wish list.
It takes away the pressure of having to get something done. It’s basically what I’ve been doing all along without any structure or name, just never published it here before.
The energy behind it
Some may say that this is not sufficiently goal-oriented and that there needs to be more power behind it. However, this is the energy that prevails in so many areas, including the coaching scene, and it feels very much like a masculine energy to me. Even “desire” still feels demanding or ego-driven.
A more feminine approach would be to invite all these things. Basically, these are things that are part of my vision, which includes both long-term and short-term ideas. At the same time, I never know what life asks of me and what I am called upon to serve.
My wishes
Construction project: Main house “Frankie”
- Finish screwing down the decking boards at my terrace [done]
- Level the floor in the storage room [done]
- Lay and fix the wooden floor in the entrance hall
All of this would make me feel a little more at home in my not-so-new house, instead of living on a construction site, as I have been doing for the past four years.
Construction project: Wooden hut
- Plaster the wooden hut
- Install the terrace
- Connect electricity, water, and sewage
The desire to make the [wooden hut](https://followyourwildheart.org/2024/11/ 21/free-garden-sheds-for-self-assembly-are-not-free-or-my-construction-of-a-recycling-shed/) usable is primarily related to getting one step closer to my vision of a nature sanctuary that I want to create on this little piece of refuge.
Business
- Obtain a business license as a life and social counselor
Once I have this license in hand, I can be even more proactive in approaching people to offer my services: psycho-social counseling in and with connection to nature and all the beings around us.
- Clean up my blog
After neglecting my blog for so many years, I want to fill it not only with new posts, but also with new life. Everything should be clearer and easier to find.
- Revive Substack
In addition to my blog here on followyourwildheart.org, I want to publish my posts (including existing ones) on Substack as well, so that they can be more easily found by all those who feel drawn to what I have to offer.
Personal
- Sewing a dress
For ages, I’ve wanted to sew a dress based on a very special pattern. Just like my last big sewing project, where I sewed a skirt entirely by hand with just a needle and thread, this dress will also be imbued with the satisfaction I feel when I use my hands to create something creative in my own way—even if many others think it’s crazy.
- Learn isiZulu
My newfound love for South Africa and Zulu culture inspires me to continue deepening my knowledge of the language. In addition to my Duolingo streak (yes, there is also Zulu on Duolingo), I would also like to find a course where I can immerse myself more intensively in the language and culture.
- Recognize and accept gifts
I love to give. Accepting is more difficult for me. And recognizing the gifts that are offered to me every day, every moment, and accepting them without guilt or other negative thoughts is a particular focus in my life right now.
Nature Connection
- Sleep outside several times a week
After returning from the last Wild Moon at the beginning of August, I slowly but surely became more and more of an indoor sleeper again. Even though I know exactly how good sleeping outside is for my grounding and my sense of connection. So I will dust off my outdoor bed, unpack my warm sleeping bag, and sleep outside regularly, if not daily.
- Communicating with neophytes on my land
Unfortunately, I also have some plants, especially neophytes, that are spreading very untamed in my garden. But because simply cutting them away doesn’t work, and inoculating them with fungi could possibly have other negative side effects, I want to use the next few weeks to regularly open the channel to listen to these beings and possibly find another solution.
- Bowdrill fire for my stove
During the first winter I spent in my little cottage, I started out very motivated and lit the fire for my wood stove with a bow drill. However, since it is much easier to get matches in civilization, this routine has fallen by the wayside a bit. To rekindle my inner flame for this type of fire-making, I want to take out my bow drill at least on special days.
Just be present
I’ve only shared a few of my ideas here, things that are buzzing around in my head that would be nice if they happened. And yet, my life is increasingly about being present and listening again and again to what might be happening right now. And also accepting it when life has something completely different in store for me.
How do you approach shaping your life? Do you like to have lists that you can check off? Does it help you to define clear goals and implement them exactly as planned? Or do you function better when you play with ideas, desires, or intentions and invite them in? And what wants to be brought into the manifest world through you in this time where it’s getting colder and darker?
