What do you need?

To truly find contentment, it is commonly thought that we must distinguish between our needs and wants. Needs imply basic requirements to survive, such as water, air, and food; in other words, that which we cannot live without. But typically, we also include the intangible, like friendship, love, and security, among our needs.

Needs are supposed to be less than our wants, so we approach life practically. After all, we can want anything, including flying to the moon! Generally speaking, our wants are things we assume will improve our life somehow. But as our society grows more materialistic, our wants are often frivolous, not to mention numerous.

What happens when we have too many needs, though? These days the line between needs and wants has become increasingly blurry. One could argue that humankind’s continuing progress, especially technological advancement, naturally leads to a shift in what a person now considers a need.

But then, is that actual progress? If our needs are more complex as a result? How many of us consider a smartphone a need? They certainly make life convenient. But at the expense of what? Are we happier and more productive? For me, it’s a resounding “NO.”

There’s a reason simplicity works better. There’s less clutter in our minds and more room to focus on what truly makes us thrive— health, happiness, a sense of purpose, and love. As our needs grow, so do our stress levels and reliance on the external. But with less dependence, there is more freedom. Freedom to be.

What if we took a step back to when we had everything we needed simply by waking up to a new day, a fresh chance at living fully? Back when we treated our planet more gently, in appreciation of its beauty and its bounty. Back when we walked across the street and knocked at a neighbor’s house to pass the time. Back when we just needed the bare minimum to flourish because we had everything we needed in each other.

What do you really need?