Values vs. Wants: The Tug-of-War Between What Matters and What's Shiny

Ever found yourself staring longingly at a luxury car, the sleek curves whispering sweet nothings to your soul, only to have a little voice in your head say, "But… freedom matters more to me than car payments?" Welcome to the eternal clash between Values and Wants.

Values are like the foundation of your dream home—solid, essential, and non-negotiable. They define who you are and how you navigate the world. Wants? They’re the fancy throw pillows and mood lighting. Nice to have, but not life-defining.

Values: Your Inner Compass

Your values are the deep-rooted principles that shape your decisions, relationships, and life choices. They don’t change with trends or impulse buys. If freedom, integrity, and connection are at the core of who you are, you’ll make choices that align with them—even when tempted by something shiny.

Think of values as your personal GPS. When you're about to make a big decision—whether it’s a career move, a relationship shift, or an investment—your values guide you to a choice that feels right in your bones.

Wants: The Sparkly Distractions

Wants, on the other hand, are often fueled by emotions, marketing, and FOMO. They’re fleeting desires that can feel urgent in the moment but don’t necessarily contribute to long-term fulfillment. They’re the designer bag that you just had to have but later realize doesn’t match anything in your wardrobe.

Wants aren’t bad. They’re part of the human experience. But when wants start hijacking our choices at the expense of our values, that’s when we feel off-track, stuck, or even regretful.

The Balancing Act

Here’s the magic trick: Aligning your wants with your values. When what you desire supports what truly matters to you, that’s when life feels fulfilling, not just exciting in the moment. Want financial abundance? Fantastic—but if your core value is generosity, then how you make and spend that money will be just as important as the number in your bank account.

So, next time you’re debating between a big purchase, a major life decision, or even just an extra slice of cake, ask yourself:

Is this want aligned with my values?

Is this a temporary craving or a deeper need?

If I say yes to this, am I saying no to something more important?

When you live by your values, your wants naturally start to fall into place. And that’s when life truly starts to feel rich—no luxury car required (unless, of course, freedom is your value and a road trip is calling).

-Traci