In life, it’s easy to confuse what we want with what we really need. We’re often driven by the rush to achieve something or the quick rewards the world offers.
However, it is essential to develop the ability to discern between these two aspects in order to make more conscious choices and aligned with our well-being.
When we know ourselves better, we understand what really does us good and make decisions that positively impact our present and future.
This difference between wanting and needing is light and subtlebut it has a big impact on our daily choices. And the search for quick answers can often take us away from what really matters. But by paying attention to our true needs, we can make better choices and live a more balanced life.
Here are 10 simple tips, with direct questions, that can help you notice this difference:
- Pause before acting: “Am I doing this on impulse or because it’s really important to me?”
- Listen to your body's signals: “Am I feeling tired, anxious, or uncomfortable? Could it be that what I need is rest rather than seeking more distraction?”
- Think about the future: “Will what I want benefit me in the long run or is it just a quick fix?”
- Value what you already have: “Am I looking for something new because I really lack it, or am I forgetting to appreciate what I already have?”
- Understand the reason for the desire: “Why do I really want this? Is it a real need or just a passing desire?”
- Prioritize what's important: “Is this really a priority in my life right now, or am I getting carried away by something that doesn’t matter as much?”
- Review your patterns: “Have I made choices like this before and regretted them? Am I repeating old patterns?”
- Align with your values: “Is this desire in line with my personal values and goals?”
- Give it time: “Do I need to act now or can I wait a bit to see if this desire still makes sense?”
- Know how to let go: “Can I let this go? If I let it go, what would really change in my life?”
These simple questions help create a conscious pause before making decisions. They allow us to explore whether what we want is truly aligned with our deepest needs.
The journey to distinguish between want and need It is continuous, but each time we take this break, we get closer to a balanced life aligned with what really matters!
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Hi, my name is Priscilla Conte Vieirabut you can call me Pri! I'm a psychologist, speaker and mentor. I work in clinical psychology, I'm a specialist in Positive Psychology, I have a postgraduate degree in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I have a master's degree in self-knowledge, I'm a life coach, I'm a practitioner in NLP and I'm also the creator of the podcast Respira, não pira (how about checking it out on Spotify?!)
I will be here every week, addressing topics of Positive Psychology, happiness, well-being and helping you to be the best version of yourself, through self-knowledge and flourishing. To learn more about me and follow my day to day, just follow me on Instagram! I'm there as @psi.priscilaconte. See you next Saturday! See you later
