article on living with bare necessities
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Surviving on just the basics takes some planning, tough choices and a commitment to staying within your means. Living with only life's necessities can give you control over your money, help you simplify your life and maintain even the tightest of budgets.
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I recently watched the new Jungle Book movie and it brought back memories of my childhood. I love Mowgli, Baloo and Bagheera. It took me back to when we were carefree as children. Not a worry in the world bothered us except maybe our maths homework. We were happy with the basics: food, shelter and yes a lot of play time and chocolates.
Fast forward to today. We are living in a material world full of “I want” and “I need”. In a world filled with so many choices and this deep desire for more of everything and bigger and better. We often compare ourselves with others and believe the grass is always greener on the other side. Our happiness is linked to owning the most recent gadgets and having a beautiful house in the a fancy location or going on an exotic holiday.
Many surveys have been done in the past few years about what people consider as “The Bare Necessities” of life and its quite amusing to read the results. Most people said they can’t live without wifi, television or their smart phone. This was unfortunately the top 20% of the responses. Over 80% people are guilty of overlooking the essential things in life such as love and friendship in favour of the material things. The good news is that for over 60% people their list changes as they grow older and they become less materialistic.
It made me think of what are my “Bare Necessities” that I’d need to survive and I came up with my Top 10 list:
Family & Friends
Challenging Work
Cuddles & Love
Health & Fitness
Travel & Holidays
Nutritious Food
Sound Sleep
A Good Book
Dark Chocolate
Wine & Cheese
If I was completely honest I think I may be able to exist even without the last 3 items on my list but then everyone needs some motivation to keep enjoying the bare necessities and I have no shame in admitting these are mine. These are my bare necessities – what are yours?
How many times have we gone around accumulating worldly possessions to keep up with our foolish needs and desires. Why don’t we instead sit back and enjoy what we have today rather than wait for when we retire at 60 when we may not really be able to enjoy some of it? Why don’t we instead invest in nurturing our relationships with our colleagues, friends and families?
All we need is the bare necessities and the key to having more happiness and satisfaction in our lives is by:
Counting our blessings that we have food, shelter and all basic things that we need to survive. We are spoilt compared to the underprivileged people around the world
Being happy in the moment and giving ourselves the permission to be happy no matter what life throws our way
Slowing down and not trying to live life in the fast lane at all times. It’s nice to be laid back and re-energize sometimes. You are not supposed to be a superhuman so don’t try to be one
Final words of wisdom from Baloo who is definitely the expert at understanding what makes up “The Bare Necessities” of life.
Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
That's why a bear can rest at ease
With just the bare necessities of life
And don't spend your time lookin' around
For something you want that can't be found
When you find out you can live without it
And go along not thinkin' about it
I'll tell you something true
The bare necessities of life will come to you –they’ll come to you.