YES. There is so much psychology that could be unpacked from this….
I used to subscribe pretty seriously to the jar metaphor: where you fit the large rocks (i.e. highest priority) items into the jar first, then everything else will fit.
The problem with this metaphor–as it took me years to figure out–is that no ones tells you that things you want to do are *also* important, and should also be large rocks sometimes. For years, I only prioritized needs, obligations, and OPPs (Other People’s Priorities)–because prioritizing my wants over OPPs was “selfish.” I relegated my wants into the sand that goes into the jar last….except I could never fit the sand in.
Well, I’m older, and wiser. Of course I need to respect my responsibilities and obligations, and *certain* OPPs, but I’ve come to realize that my *wants* are also important.