Why do so many people struggle with identifying their needs and wants as two separate things!

I have found that many people are not able to clearly identify what is a need or a want within their life. I understand that not all people are at the same emotional or mentally maturity. Maybe it is the way I think and that not everyone thinks like me. But I have learned that simply identifying my needs as separate from my wants has made my life decisions easier and less stressful.

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Brandon

3 Answers

i think it very strongly depends on the person, i have never struggled with that, but also i grew up very poor and didnt have a lot so i HAD to be able to recognize what was needed and what wasnt necessary. it is different for everyone!

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Jane

6,075

Sometimes people just aren't taught how to differentiate between the two because they don't have to (either in the present or in the past). Our want can be stronger than our need so sometimes, even for the most well adjusted people, we ignore the need and choose the want. I guess it's something you learn when you're very young from you parents and you learn how to exercise it as you get into your teens, or it's something you learn once you get thrown into the adult world in your 20's, or even 30's, and are forced to learn it.

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Jess

2,717

Sometimes people want something so bad that they say it is a need. Sometimes they need something but don't really think they need it when they really do. That's my opinion. It has happened to me a lot but it's easier to separate them if there is a list and you find your needs first and then your wants.

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Haylie