Needs Vs. Wants

Repost. Originally written for and appeared on Much2Inspired

Need, A lack of something requisite, desirable, or useful.

Want, A strong desire for.

I Am approaching another milestone in age this week & I struggled with what I wanted for myself. I drove friends crazy with talk of another tattoo, a MacBook Pro, a weekend getaway… until someone stopped the madness, told me that I was indecisive & asked 

“What is it that you need?”

Both needs and wants are synonymous with desire.

When I think of needs I think of basic necessities; shelter, food, health care, clothing and transportation. When I think of wants I think of ‘things’ or activities that increase our quality of life. We are advised to wait 30 days before purchasing an item; somehow we’ll likely realize how little we really desired it. Often we hear the opposite, being advised to live life to the fullest; that we work hard and that we should play harder.

Some desires can straddle the line, find balance.

Sometimes wants are as important as needs.

My current needs and wants 

Needs

• Connection
• Well Being
• Peace
• Autonomy
• Play
• Meaning

Wants

• Intimate Relationship
• Good Health
• Equality
• Spontaneity
• Joy
• Celebration of life

What needs, wants do you desire?