The Difference Between Needing and Wanting
Deep down I know the difference between needing and wanting. Needs are for survival - the “must haves” in life. And, from what I understand, the three basic needs have always been food, shelter, and clothing. So, honoring those essentials, I wonder, at what point does a need, become a want? Because with all the “end of season” sales right now, I am really having troubles distinguishing if I really need that gorgeous green velvet blazer, or if I want it because it is 30% off.
Wandering through the mall last weekend, I, as usual, was drawn to a launch of red signs declaring 30% off, 50% off, 2 for 1. Clothes, shoes, accessories…you name it and the bargain was there. Immediately, panic rushed through me, a fear that if I did not get moving, I would miss out on something fabulous that would make my life so much better. The next thing I know I am standing at a $5 dollar rack, scooping up anything that was in my size. After standing in a twenty-minute line up, I finally made it into a private haven, the change room.
I don’t know if it was the time I had to think, or the pile of clothes waiting for me to try on, but suddenly, the rush of excitement went away. Yes, the articles were only five bucks apiece, but did I really need them? (not to mention when you add all the articles together, $80 wasn’t that cheap anymore!). And at a closer glance, in a conscious state, I don’t know if I even liked them. There I was, seduced by a want. Again.
And it doesn’t stop at retail. The basic need of food is confusing too! What do you do when the scrumptious cinnamon buns scream “EAT ME” from the lunchroom? As food, it is a need, yet I usually don’t want it until I smell the cinnamon from the oven. So does that make it a need? Or a want? Thankfully, I need not worry about the shelter thing yet, since I haven’t even thought about getting into real-estate yet. I can only imagine where that overwhelm will take me.
For piece of mind, I decided to look into this need/want thing. I figure it was time to get this straight once and for all (and quite frankly, I am proud to get to this point since, in the past, I would have spent the $80 bucks on clothes I didn’t need just cause they were on sale). Apparently, the difference between a need and want is that wants are things that make your life easier or more enjoyable. Wants are not essential; they are the "would like to have's" or the "nice to have's" in life. Hmm. Don’t know if that makes things any easier, but it does clarify a few things. At the root of life, we meet our needs. Sometimes we get to fulfill them with things we actually want. The confusion comes, when we drive life by the wants, forgetting the primal purpose of why we want it. To survive. Yes, it would be fantastic if the cinnamon bun, and green velvet blazer were essential needs. But, alas they’re not. Unless of course, if I was starving and naked.
Wandering through the mall last weekend, I, as usual, was drawn to a launch of red signs declaring 30% off, 50% off, 2 for 1. Clothes, shoes, accessories…you name it and the bargain was there. Immediately, panic rushed through me, a fear that if I did not get moving, I would miss out on something fabulous that would make my life so much better. The next thing I know I am standing at a $5 dollar rack, scooping up anything that was in my size. After standing in a twenty-minute line up, I finally made it into a private haven, the change room.
I don’t know if it was the time I had to think, or the pile of clothes waiting for me to try on, but suddenly, the rush of excitement went away. Yes, the articles were only five bucks apiece, but did I really need them? (not to mention when you add all the articles together, $80 wasn’t that cheap anymore!). And at a closer glance, in a conscious state, I don’t know if I even liked them. There I was, seduced by a want. Again.
And it doesn’t stop at retail. The basic need of food is confusing too! What do you do when the scrumptious cinnamon buns scream “EAT ME” from the lunchroom? As food, it is a need, yet I usually don’t want it until I smell the cinnamon from the oven. So does that make it a need? Or a want? Thankfully, I need not worry about the shelter thing yet, since I haven’t even thought about getting into real-estate yet. I can only imagine where that overwhelm will take me.
For piece of mind, I decided to look into this need/want thing. I figure it was time to get this straight once and for all (and quite frankly, I am proud to get to this point since, in the past, I would have spent the $80 bucks on clothes I didn’t need just cause they were on sale). Apparently, the difference between a need and want is that wants are things that make your life easier or more enjoyable. Wants are not essential; they are the "would like to have's" or the "nice to have's" in life. Hmm. Don’t know if that makes things any easier, but it does clarify a few things. At the root of life, we meet our needs. Sometimes we get to fulfill them with things we actually want. The confusion comes, when we drive life by the wants, forgetting the primal purpose of why we want it. To survive. Yes, it would be fantastic if the cinnamon bun, and green velvet blazer were essential needs. But, alas they’re not. Unless of course, if I was starving and naked.
posted by Desiree Daniel @ 9:42 AM
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