Align your life with your Core Desired Feelings in 5 easy steps

Hey there, friend.

If you’re reading this, I’m going to guess that you want to align your life with your core desired feelings. And that’s awesome! I love when people are willing to do the work and get in touch with who they really are.

But have you ever tried to do it? Have you ever actually sat down and asked yourself what your core desired feelings are? Or have you just assumed that what you wanted is what everyone else wants—the same things, the same material items, the same accomplishments?

I used to be like that. I thought happiness was something other people were good at finding. Like they knew how to be happy and they kept it hidden away from me. My friends seems so busy with their lives and also seemed so happy. But then I realized: That’s not true! Happiness isn’t something someone else has found—it’s something we can all find if we look within ourselves and ask ourselves some hard questions about what truly makes us feel fulfilled.

Happiness or Joy is an outcome of connecting with how you really want to feel.

What if you could get super clear on how you want to feel each and everyday to achieve the level of happiness or joy you have been searching for?  Finding your core desired feelings is the first step into finding it.

Danielle LaPorte, the creator of The Desire Map & the creator of core desired feelings, has inspired me for the past 4 years to connect with my "Core Desire Feelings" each and everyday. My mantra or keywords for how I want to feel.

Below are the 5 steps that will align you to your core desired feelings. All part of my New Year Ritual that spans across a few days between Christmas and New Years each year. (I do a mini version of this in August. Just before the school year starts as well)

Step 1: How Do You Want To Feel

Take some time to think back to moments in your life that made you feel really good, such as getting married, having a child, or falling in love. Ask yourself why these moments made you feel so good and why you enjoy doing certain activities.

Step 2: Write it Out!

Write down your thoughts and feelings in a stream of consciousness. This means that you should let your thoughts flow freely and write down whatever comes to mind in the five categories of work and lifestyle, body and wellness, creativity and learning, relationships and society, and spirituality.

Step 3: Highlight The Keywords

Highlight the words that keep popping up in your writing. These words can provide clues to your core desired feelings.

Step 4: Drill Down To 3-4 Words

Drill down your highlighted words and find the perfect word that best describes how you want to feel. To do this, you can use a thesaurus and get creative to find the right word.

Step 5: Create An Action List

Make a list of all the things that make you feel like your "Core Desire Feelings" (for example: watching the sunset, sledding with the kids - make me feel present)

Cheers to 2023!

If you want to dive deeper in to the practice of finding your Core Desired Feelings I recommend picking up Dannielle LaPorte's Desire Map.