Want vs. Need: A 5-Step Guide to Manifesting Your Deepest Desires in 2025
With just under 50 days remaining in 2024, (I know, my mind is blown too!) now is the perfect moment to transition from assessing where we've come from in 2024 to set our sights on what we want for 2025 and build a vision for a life that feels good, aligned and fulfilling.
But before jumping headfirst into setting new goals and resolutions, there’s an essential distinction to make—one that can define whether your next year will be truly transformative or just another cycle of unfulfilled resolutions. The answer lays in understanding the powerful difference between “want” and “need”.
Step 1 “Want” vs. “Need” Energy
In our fast-paced world, the line between “want” and “need” can blur. We often say, “I need a new job” or “I need a vacation,” but what if these are actually wants we’re framing as needs? This distinction matters because each originates from a different energy that shapes how we approach our lives:
Wants arise from abundance, joy, and fulfillment—they’re the desires that light us up from within, that speak to our passions and aspirations. When we focus on wants, we feel inspired and motivated, connected to a sense of excitement that pulls us forward.
Needs, on the other hand, are often rooted in survival, scarcity, or pressure. Needs arise when we feel we lack something essential to function or fit in, creating a low-vibrational energy that can feel heavy, limiting, or even desperate. When driven by need, we tend to operate from a place of grasping and “just getting by,” which can keep us stuck in cycles of struggle.
At the beginning of 2024, I was operating heavily from a place of need—scrambling to fill gaps, pay bills, and check off life’s essentials. It was a hustle-driven mindset, one that felt more like chasing than creating. But as the year unfolded, I started to see how this need-based mentality was holding me back. By shifting into a want-based approach, I created space for clarity and joy, naturally attracting better opportunities and finding myself in flow, rather than struggle. This is a high vibe space to design your year ahead from, but I understand that can be easier said than done, stick with me….
Step 2: Write Your 2025 “Want” List
To truly design a life that feels fulfilling and joyful, we need to start from what we want, not what we think we “need” have. To help you clarify this:
Grab a notebook and start a “Want List” for 2025. Write down everything that you genuinely want in your life without any limitations or judgments. Dream big!
Imagine if you had all the resources and time you needed (even picture a $2 million in your bank account if that helps) and ask yourself:
What do I truly want my life to look like next year?
What experiences would bring me the most joy?
How to I want to feel?
Start with five specific wants. Think expansively about areas such as relationships, career, health and your environment. Each “room” in your life, like the rooms in a home, needs its own intentional design.
Step 3: Get Specific and Visualise
Once you have your “Want List,” get as detailed as possible. Clarity here is key. For example:
If one of your wants is a fulfilling career, describe what that job feels like, the type of activities that fill your day, who you’re working with, the environment, and the impact you’re making.
If you want a healthier lifestyle, detail what “health” means to you—perhaps more energy, deeper sleep, or feeling strong.
Visualise yourself living this life. Imagine the feelings it brings up—these high-vibration emotions are your guidance system. They’ll help you navigate future decisions and maintain forward momentum.
Step 4: Shift from Need to Want in Your Daily Life
Carrying this high-vibe energy into your daily actions can help you become a magnet for what you want:
Daily Check-In: Start your day with a quick check-in. Ask, “Am I operating from want or need?” Let this awareness guide your choices.
Clear Boundaries: Recognise and limit need-based behaviours. If you’re taking on a project solely for financial security, see if you can shift your perspective or find new opportunities that align with your want list.
Take Inspired Action: Every time you make a decision, do so from a place of joy and abundance rather than survival and that lack mentality. Whether it’s choosing projects, relationships, or routines, let your want-based vision for 2025 guide you.
Step 5: Trust the Process
Just like a beautifully designed renovation, designing your life takes time, patience, and intentionality. When we approach our life design from a space of want, the results not only bring us more joy but also align with our true selves. We attract higher-vibration opportunities that naturally fit our vision.
As you move into 2025, remember that living from want isn’t about ignoring responsibilities; it’s about transforming the energy behind your choices. When you approach life with this clarity and joy, you’ll create a reality that’s even better than you can imagine.
Sending you so much love and gratitude,
Claire xx
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