Praise for F the Shoulds. Do the Wants.
F the Shoulds. Do the Wants. is like Windex for the soul. Pick this book up anytime you need to remember what really matters.
Kathryn Budig, author of Aim True, and founder of Haus of Phoenix
As I always say, SHOULD IS AN ASSHOLE, and Tricia Huffmans is the voice you want in your ear to teach you how to stop shoulding on yourself. Shes effortlessly wise, spit-out-your-coffee funny, and most of all, shes authentic. She tells it as it is, but in such a way that we dont ever lose hope. Shes the real deal.
Jennifer Pastiloff, best-selling author of On Being Human
F the Shoulds. Do the Wants. reveals how much of our lives have been constructed based on how our choices look to others instead of how they feel to us. By sharing raw, personal stories of uncovering the deep-rooted shoulds in her own life, Tricia gifts us a powerful tool in self-awarenessconstantly guiding us back to asking, What do I really want?
Amber Rae, best-selling author of Choose Wonder Over Worry and The Answers Are Within You
Tricia is one of the most inspiring, open-hearted souls I know. Shes the guide you need when youre seeking freedom from your excuses and self-doubt. If youre ready to step into your full, joyous self and be the person youre meant to be, let Tricia lead you the way there!
Cathy Heller, top podcast host, business coach, and best-selling author of Dont Keep Your Day Job
Tricia is that no-nonsense best friend that you want on your A-team to make sure you dont travel down the tunnel of despair and stay there. Her simple and fun approach is easy to follow and make a part of well-being rituals.
Koya Webb, author of Let Your Fears Make You Fierce
In a world thats constantly demanding so much from us, it can feel easy to lose yourself and feel disconnected from your passions. Tricia has a down-to-earth and compassionate way to help us reclaim our lives.
Jessica Ortner, New York Times best-selling author
F the Shoulds. Do the Wants. is filled with practical advice and strategies to get out of your own way to liberate yourself from regrets so you can create the happy, healthy life you deserve. Tricia Huffman has created a powerful resource guide that includes big and small steps that anyone can take to stay firmly planted in the present while learning from the past. Tricia is an inspiring, wise, and compassionate teacher who leads with truth, humor, and self-kindness.
Terri Cole, psychotherapist, and author of Boundary Boss
Tricia is delivering a really powerful concept that slows down our process and lets us look at what is motivating our behavior. It is an incredibly powerful life hack.
Dan Peres, award-winning editor-in-chief of Details, and author of As Needed for Pain
Tricia has a way of writing that feels reminiscent of checking in with an old friend. In this book, she reminds you that you and only you are in control of your one sweet, precious life, so why the f@$% arent you doing what YOUwant? It woke me up to seeing that if you arent being present and doing what youwantwith your lifewhat are you even doing? F the Shoulds. Do the Wants. will inspire you to remember who you are and what youwantand gently nudge you to recognize where the shoulds are running your life as it gives you the courage to start living in accordance to your truewants, dreams, and desires.
Tristan Prettyman, singer-songwriter
This Carrie Bradshaw quote from an episode of Sex and the City is something that has always stuck with me: I wondered if should was another disease plaguing women... Why are we should-ing all over ourselves? F the Shoulds. Do the Wants. exposes the varied ways that the shoulds are plaguing not just women, but everyone. Tricia powerfully, yet compassionately, shows how to get clear on what is weighing on you and the shoulds that are holding you back and keeping you from trusting your gut and who you are. Her work with shifting away from shoulds and intowantsgets us to living out the true joy of who we are.
Robyn Youkilis, two-time best-selling author, wellness coach, and influencer
In a world where so many are seeking a deeper connection to themselves, their purpose and to their own worth, Tricia guides us to this simple yet powerful concept showing us that by reframing our word choice we are reframing our relationship to ourselves and our lives.
Karen Salmansohn, best-selling author of Think Happy
Copyright 2022 by Tricia Huffman
Published in the United States by: Hay House, Inc.: www.hayhouse.com
Published in Australia by: Hay House Australia Pty. Ltd.: www.hayhouse.com.au
Published in the United Kingdom by: Hay House UK, Ltd.: www.hayhouse.co.uk
Published in India by: Hay House Publishers India: www.hayhouse.co.in
Project editor: Melody Guy
Cover design: Kathleen Lynch
Interior design: Greg Johnson, Textbook Perfect
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise be copied for public or private useother than for fair use as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviewswithout prior written permission of the publisher.
The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.
Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress
Tradepaper ISBN: 978-1-4019-6429-0
E-book ISBN: 978-1-4019-6439-9
Audiobook ISBN: 978-1-4019-6440-5
I wrote this book for you.
Yes, you.
I truly hope it empowers you
to F the shoulds and do your wants
in the tiny ways
and the huge ways.
This life is yours.
Dont ever forget that, okay?
Ive always considered myself a dreamerand Ive always been foolish enough to think my dreams can and will come true. This navet has worked out to my benefit over and over again: in music, philanthropy, investments, and even relationships. Plan B never appeals to me, and I always hustle to re-imagine Plan A when I need to. But I wasnt always experienced in the art of courageously leaping before the net appeared. That skill began to crystallize during my experimental and uncertain college years.
I went to school for musical theatre. It was an easy choice. I like to entertain and I wanted to be singing on a stage. My school was in Manhattana dream environment for any artist. Perhaps it was the city, or the sense of freedom that comes with being 18, that led me to connect deeply with songwriting as soon as I arrived at college. For me, songwriting paired personal journaling with my lifelong joy of singing. On many occasions, I wouldnt even have time to write my songs downId just make them up, freestyling on prompts to the delight of my friends and neighbors. Something inside of me knew how to do it. The more I practiced, the better I got. My song catalog grew quickly. Seeing these results unfold convinced me I could go far if I wantedand I wanted!