It is important to understand the difference between a Need and a Want. In modern life, we are moving further into comforts (things we Want). Advertising is a billion dollar industry tricking consumers into thinking your Wants are your Needs. We have become so flooded with comforts the tide has risen over necessities, disguising our new base level of Wants as Needs, I think this is a trap.
Travel Example: Suitcase
Try packing for a flight as an example, I think this is a good example for life because it shrinks down the Wants and Needs of everyday life into a suitcase sized example. For this example, you have a limited about of space and weight within your luggage. If you’re smart, you’ll only take the essentials fitting into the smallest baggage possible (as this allows you the biggest comfort while traveling, not having to lug around an obstructive suitcase). On a week long journey, I’ll pick out the following items from our Fictional Travelers luggage: a travel neck pillow, a power bank charger, and 7 shirts (1 for each day of the trip).
Wants: The 3 Comforts
Each of these are Wants, some more obvious than the other. The Travel Neck Pillow is an immediate comfort while you are traveling, but not a Need (plus they are terrible to travel with when not in use and take up too much space).
The Power Bank Charger is another Want representing Back Up Comfort just in case something happens. How often do you lose power during a normal day with your phone? Just because your phone is on 19%, doesn’t mean you need a back up charger, this is your anxiety disguising and Want as a Need. You’ll make it through with the phone you have and there are outlets everywhere for you to charge your phone. I think what would constitute this as a Need is when you will be away from an electric outlet for more than a day (a multi-day hiking trip).
The 7 shirts represent the Future Comfort. A shirt for each day gives you the comfort of not having to work while you are on your trip. You could bring half as many shirts (or less) as days of your trip and wash them while you travel. For those who are really keyed into traveling you know about Merino Wool, and you could bring 1 merino wool shirt that you wear each day and air dry at night. Reducing the clothes you travel with is the best way to make traveling easier.
Immediate Comfort, Back Up Comfort, and Future Comfort are three Wants that disguise themselves as Needs. Some Wants are easier to spot, like immediate comfort (the travel neck pillow), but others are more difficult disguising themselves under back up comfort or future comfort. When you pack for your next trip, take a second to think about what are your essentials. Do you really need that usb to lighting charger if you already have a usb-c to lightning charger? What about your 2rd or 3rd pair of shoes? How about that iPad if you already have your laptop?
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Today I’m flying to Portugal for 10 days with a backpack. The flight I booked only allowed me a personal item bag, so I was forced to determine what really was a Need vs a Want. Needs and Wants are different for everyone, just be aware of what really is a Need, compared to a Want disguising itself as a Need.
Photo is from Lisbon walking on Pink Street.