What are your life basics?

[MsTinkerbelly]

I need to feel secure; Secure in my home, my marriage...Secure in my role as mother, sister, wife, friend.
Losing the ability to do meaningful work nearly made me lose my mind, but I've been able to substitute Church activities, housework, and e-bay sales for my need to be productive and not a burden.
I need quiet time alone every day
I need the mountains around me
I need good books to stimulate my mind
I need to be listened to, and not have my problems solved
I need laughter...big heaping doses of laughter.
I need to be silly, crazy, loving, nurturing, needed, wanted, loved.... I need to be first in someone's life.

[Martina]

My friends
My cats
Books, TV, Art, Music
A sense of purpose -- that I am making a difference
Occasional opportunities for fun
Some physical pleasure of some kind
Being near the ocean
Being around people with progressive politics -- really important
Quiet time and my own space
Bacon

[Shystonefem]

Wow, great question.

I need my animals and to always have animals around.

I need to live in a place that is semi-rural yet close to water and a city... preferably a place on the water that is fairly close to a city.

I need time to myself for meditation, etc.

If I am coupled, I need that person to respect me and I would do the same.

I need to read, write and learn.

I need to live in a peaceful environment, without stress inside the home.

I need to have close friends that I trust.

[princessbelle]

I also believe "need" and "want" are way different, but i'll join in and think of it more in a "want" way.

Love. Unconditional, from family, friends.
Security. Feeling safe and out of harms way.
To feel needed. Helping people that reach out or those that can't but should.
Laughter. A day without laughing is a day wasted.
Sunshine. It warms my bones and my spirit.
Acceptance. To be who i am from my friends without judgement or prejudice.
Independence. Some of the time.
Quiet time. To think thoughts through, especially early in the day or when something is on my mind.
Understanding. That i goof up. I make mistakes. But, hey, we all do.

Last, but certainly not least, and something that has been on my mind more and more the past few months.....

Community. Without community i feel isolated, alone and strange in a foreign land where no one really understands my heart. (thank you planet)

[imperfect_cupcake]

Sorry. I meant like stated in the OP with Maslow's "hierarchy of needs". Taking out the bottom level. The link is up there if it's helpful for clarification on the word use of "need"? :/

[JDeere]

Food, water, shelter and clothes. But also friends and family. I try not too think too hard on things and keep it simple. Want and need are two different things for me. I will never get what i want but will almost certainly have what I need.

[clay]

~I need arts &crafts supplies and space ~~I need quiet time/space of my own daily....and am afforded that regularly. ~~I need my furbaby. She is a huge part of me and my world........for 10 years. ~~I need to view and enjoy the ocean regularly and seeing my dolphins! ~~I need social time with a select group of trusted friends. ~~I need social time for my most intimate of friends on this Planet! I love them each uniquely. ~~~I need my smudging rituals to cleanse my space and myself. ~~~I need my beloved crystals and healing stones, and my salt rock lamp. ~~I need my incense burns daily. ~~~I need, and do humbly appreciate my life, health, and wonderful partner all the time. ~~~I need to share my love for my very closest chosen family and friends often!

[imperfect_cupcake]

For those not clear about what I mean and you think I'm confusing wants with needs.... Ok sorry. I'll try again but I'll make sure I put the picture here:



(Edit to add: won't let me put an image in so I'm afraid you'll have to actually click it and look at it)

This is what I linked to. This is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

I'm sayin' aside from the bottom layer oF listed physiological needs, HOW or WHAT things bring you the rest of your (as *Maslow* defines "needs") needs? How or what makes you content and happy, not just surviving. Like I'd never be content and happy living in a cement mixer even though it would keep the rain off me. I need to live where I have control over my own personal space or I get stressed out.

Thank you For your patience.

I've made a pigs ear of this thread, trying to articulate. But I hope I've done a better job now.