>> Why We Have This Emotion
Wanting is anticipation with a direction. The brain's reward system spikes while you're in pursuit, not on arrival. That's why getting what you wanted rarely feels as good as the wanting did.
◎ What to do in the moment
Good Ideas
- Clarify, “Is this a need or a want?”
- Identify why it matters to you
- Prioritize this want against others
- Break it into one tiny next step
- Notice if it aligns with your values
- Check costs: time, money, energy
- Do you still want it a week later?
Bad Ideas
- Chase every want as urgent
- Compare with what others have
- Neglect health or sleep to pursue it
- Abandon good-enough options
- Go into debt for non-essentials
- Use others as means to your wants
- Spend impulsively to satisfy a mood