Is this really a "need"? by Shuxuan Chang

 Is this really a "need"?

       Whenever I open a shopping app, my eyes seem to wander on their own. The moment I see a bunch of interesting items, I start scrolling through them, trying to decide which ones I actually want.

        I am not the only one who thinks this way. I’ve heard friends and classmates say the same thing: “I really need this.” While listening to them, I sometimes wonder: If they feel they need it, do I need it too?

        Over time, I started to question this feeling more. It seems like a mix of social comparison and habit. I’ve never clearly been able to tell the difference between need and want. Sometimes, when I clean my room, I realize I already own multiple similar items—yet I still bought new ones without finishing the old ones. At times, I can stop myself, and that helps me avoid unnecessary purchases. But other times, especially when I see people around me buying or using something, I feel pressure to fit in. Even if I already have something similar, I still feel tempted to get it.

         I guess I’m still figuring out the difference between need and want. Maybe that difference is not always obvious, especially at my age. Sometimes I listen to myself; sometimes I don’t. And I’m still learning when to stop—and when I actually don’t need anything at all.