How do you distinguish between your wants and needs?
I think nearly every week I ask myself this question. The response is always varied, but there are some fundamental things I always turn back to…
My grandfather once told me there are only 4 things you truly need in life:
- Food
- Water
- Shelter
- Clothing
Outside of that, there isn’t much else to consider. He liked to gripe [in that good way] that people spent too much money on their gadgets and cars and trinkets, when they should be spending more on better food (of the fresh fruit and veggies kind) and making sure their rent is paid and that their clothes don’t have too many holes, fit proper, and actually keep you warm in winter.
Most else becomes tertiary. I believe there are personal and spiritual needs as well. I think we all need some time to oneself to ponder, read, pray, to enrich oneself. But unpacking that is something best left for a longer day and a clearer head.
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Sup-a-Dillie-O 
The listed things are needed for survival. We need more than that to truly live. Social connections, a functional society, and friends/family are really important to be living a good life. Human being a social and group animal, loneliness can be brutal.
Very good points. I’ll have to add those when I get around to following up on this post. Thanks!
I break it down like this
Air
Water
Food
Shelter
Love
In that order. Everything beyond this list is a want. Love is needed for humans to live and clothing is part of shelter.
Each one of the above we can live without but the rate in which it kills us varies. We may live an entire life without love, but is that really living? We may live longer without shelter than without food depending on your location of course. You can live weeks without food, days without water and minutes without air.
Since we need them all, are any really less important than the other?
Wants are an entirely different conversation, but are important for a fulfilled life.
Well said. You have me intrigued with your last sentence about wants. How to wants apply to a fulfilled life?