Your Needs Vs Your Wants

Needs

Since the dawn of time, all living things have established various things that are prerequisites for survival. Plants rely on healthy soil, air, and most importantly, sunlight for survival. Without them, they will dry out and die. This is the most basic form of need. But, when it comes to animals and particularly humans, there is more to that list of needs. An American psychologist created an easy way for us to break down the different levels of our intricate needs. He created what is commonly known as the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This describes the various things that humans need in order to feel whole in a pyramid form. 

At the base of the pyramid are the most fundamental and primary needs necessary for human survival. These include necessities such as food, water, air, sleep, and shelter. Satisfying physiological needs is the first and most critical step in the hierarchy, as individuals cannot focus on higher-level needs until these basics are met. The next level of the pyramid is the need for safety, which includes both physical safety, as well as a feeling of security in your living environment. 

The third level of the pyramid is all about love and feeling like you belong. Human beings are inherently social creatures, and fulfilling these needs is essential for emotional well-being. The fourth level of the pyramid then moves on to self-esteem, self-worth, and the desire for respect and recognition from others. At the pinnacle of the hierarchy is self-actualization, representing the realization of one’s full potential. This level includes pursuing personal growth, and creativity, and fulfilling one’s unique talents and capabilities. It’s the quest for self-fulfillment and achieving one’s highest aspirations.

Self-Actualization

Reading Maslow’s hierarchy of needs shows us that there is more to us than the basic prerequisites of survival. It reminds us how important it is that we need to feel safe and secure. Interestingly, the modern world has led us down a certain path that has blurred these lines a little. Money seems to be at the core of this sense of security. However, money is more of a moment-to-moment aspect of life. Sure, there is an energy surrounding money that extends into many aspects of life. But, it is not the root of all abundance. 

If you are reading this, remember you are blessed. Your higher self is constantly working with you whether you realize it or not. Even before you came into this life, you planned everything that was going to happen. You know each and every path you could have taken and the one you chose. Either way, you have been given everything you need for this life. 

So, what are other forms of abundance? Well, think about it. When something good happens, who do you think of? For many people, it’s their family. But for others, it’s their friends. Regardless, it’s these relationships that can fill you with such a sense of fulfillment that the feeling you have of this need for money might subside. The more you focus on the abundance that surrounds you every day, life gets a little easier. Your vibration will rise, and so will your ability to manifest. Making sure you are focusing your attention on everything that makes you feel happy is a sure way to reach self-actualization. 

Wants

Once you have fulfilled your needs in life, meaning you master the various aspects of needs, you might then move on to your wants. Bear in mind, that there is a major superficial aspect to our wants. Most of us blur the lines between wants and needs because our egos keep telling us we need certain things when we don’t. Social media is a big contributor to this. We are constantly doom scrolling through our phones and seeing glimpses into other people’s lives. We convince ourselves that those who have more are living better lives and that we “need” more money so we can be more like them. 

However, each of us is destined to live our own unique lives and not the lives of others. So, with this in mind, ask yourself whether the wants you have right now are based on fear. By this, we mean the fear of “not fitting in,” or the fear of “not being able to pay the bills.” Do you think you need more money because you want a flashy car to show off to your peers? 

It can be quite dizzying to many to think about what wants are appropriate and what wants are not conducive to self-actualization. How do you know which wants are irrational or based on fear?  Wants should come from the heart. You should want something because you know deep down that it is good for you. It will come through as a feeling of “knowing something is right for you.” This is the signal from your higher self that this is the right thing for you and you should work towards achieving it. The more clear you get between the ego’s fear-based wants and the higher vibrational wants, the easier it will be to move forward in life.

So, if you are unsure whether you are acting on ego-based wants as opposed to needs, we have a quiz that will highlight where your mindset is right now.