It was a rare early morning outing for me and I needed a coffee. The line in the drive-thru at the Starbucks was wrapped around the building. I decided I didn’t need that coffee as much as I thought I did.
How much of what we think we need to function in our daily lives are actually needs? When we reach the point of feeling something is a necessity, we have given up a little of our freedom. We have become enslaved to the point we will restructure our lives around it.
For many, unfortunately, it’s more than just a coffee. It’s some quiet time alone to drown out the noise of the day, popping the top on a cold one to wind down, a glass of wine at the end of the day to relax, vegging out with our favorite show, or scrolling through Facebook to see what is going on in the lives of those we call friends (and silently judging that we are better than them).
There is nothing wrong with any of these things if done in moderation (except, maybe, the judging part). But, if they are needed, it doesn’t take long for the requirements to have a happy life to start piling up.
So, what do you think you need? What are some things that you think you just can’t live without? Maybe your surroundings or circumstances dictate your needs. That special pillow for traveling. That morning cup of coffee. That Moleskine notebook or special pen. Maybe complete silence. Or, maybe you need music playing in the background while you work.
If you can’t have these things does it make your life more difficult? Does it make life less enjoyable? Does it ruin the run, the trip, the day, if you don’t get what you think you need?
What if you changed your perception? Rather than stating that you need these things you viewed them as “nice to have” options when they are available.
The fewer things we “need“, the less burden and stress we have in our daily life.
You don’t have to follow these suggestions for your life, but maybe it would be something you considered.