Is there really a difference between things we want and things we need?

In retrospect, aren’t all needs just glorified wants?

We need food and water, but there are people that survive without them somehow.

We need a roof over our head, but some people don’t have that.

What’s the utter difference between people needing things, and people wanting things?

When given the ultimate question, the answers may surprise you. They surprised me at least.

I asked 17 more people what they wanted more of, in any aspect, really. I kept it broad to the person and what they were going through. Most of the answers were within the spectrum of what they wanted more of in life.

Here’s what they had to say.

1.

“Love, because I give so much of it away but don’t receive any in return. And tacos, because who doesn’t love tacos?”

2.

“I want more acceptance for myself. More self-love. Gratitude and acceptance. People don't have enough of it!”

3.

“I want more romance! That’s what I want.”

4.

“I want more of the person I can't see right now, and I want more motivation.”

5.

“You know, honestly, this is so dumb the first thing that comes to mind is like — since coming to college, I can probably count on my hand the amount of times people have played with my hair, whereas in high school it was like a morning routine with my friends, and I kind of miss that. I want more of my friends to play with my hair.”

6.

“I want to see my family more!”

7.

“I wish I had said yes more. I really missed out on a lot and held myself back in previous years because I couldn’t say yes. That’s why I’m really trying to turn things around this year and make 2018 my b*tch and utilize the yes theory. I just want to say yes and stop letting this unknown fear hold me back.”

8.

“I want more gun control. I want more equality. I want a safer environment for the kids of the future. I want more episodes of 'Parks and Rec' (especially during times like these). I want more books. I want more hugs. I want to be more confident in myself. I want to be more sure about things and question myself less. I want to be able to travel more. I want more money. I want to create more change.”

9.

“I want more sleep. Time with my boyfriend. Moments of pure and uninterrupted joy!”

10.

“I want more willingness to go out and do s*it, and a stomach that can hold as much food as possible and does not grow.”

11.

“I don't know if this is more physical or emotional, I think it's a little of both, but something I would like more of is kindness. This is really general and most people would think that this would be really simple, but this is something that I think every individual needs to actively start thinking about/doing more. People will only benefit from more kindness, so that's something I would like more of.”

12.

“I need more days and nights where I’m able to feel 100% genuinely happy. I want that. It gets tiring having to constantly put on face. I just want to be able to feel it for real all the time. I also want more opportunities to see my favorite artists with all my online friends. I miss them so freaking much. I just want to travel more and do more of what I love.”

13.

“I want more Tapsy cheese and onion chips from Poland.”

14.

“I want more acceptance for myself. I want to feel more comfortable being who I am and doing what I do. I want to be more likable and appreciated. I really just want to enjoy life more and enjoy the things I do.”

15.

“I want more peace of mind just to feel like it's not a crazy world. In general, I want more energy.”

16.

“I want there to be more humanity in the world.”

17.

“I want the people in my life to always be happy. And for more good days.”

The thing about wants and needs is that I don’t think we’ll ever be fully, completely satisfied with what we have.

I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing.

It’s good to want things. It shows drive, and passion, and force toward going after goals and dreams.

What surprised me, incredibly and happily, about this question was that there was pretty much no materialistic thing that any one person gravitated toward wanting. Everyone that I talked to strived toward wanting emotional aspects or nonphysical needs to make themselves or others feel better.

I think that’s what can be remarkable. It shows we're selfless.

We want all of these things, nothing to make us feel empowered or better than anyone. Most of what we want is to better ourselves or better other people. And I think that’s something to be proud of.