Looking around you’ll notice that many of the things you own are not that essential, and you could easily do without them. Of course, we can always find an excuse to call a “want” a “need,” as I often do. Many of the things we think we need only serve to overcrowd our lives. However, there are things we shouldn’t do without for the betterment of our overall wellbeing and happiness. It should come as no surprise that the five things nobody should do without are, in fact, not “things” at all.

I once downsized from a regular apartment with all amenities to a flat that lacked warm running water and had a kitchen with no refrigerator or stove. To add to the troubles, the lighting started to go a few months in. I learned to make do as I got used to those inconveniences — and understandably so, seeing as I was only paying $70 per month for rent! This was an invaluable learning experience that helped me appreciate not only what I have, but also the things I can do without. The things no human being should do without to lead a happy existence have nothing to do with the material world.

Here are the top five things nobody can live or should live without in my opinion:

Friendship

We need friends to relate to, to feel accepted. We need to cry, to laugh and to share our best and worst selves with people we trust. Friends celebrate our successes and help us get over our failures. They are the bridges that help us across when we don’t believe in ourselves. We were not meant to be alone; we were meant to be part of a pack.

Family ties

We all need a reference point. The love of a family, imperfect as it might be, can be our hiding place during rough times. Close ties root us.

Love

We are meant to love, be loved and feel unconditional acceptance and appreciation. Sex is also an important part of a relationship where couples do their most intimate bonding. In “The Scientific American Book of Love, Sex and the Brain,” Judith Hortsman mentions the results of a 2010 study of how and why people die. Therein she explains that loneliness ranks a the top of the list of causes of death. The study also found that lack of a relationship can be as deadly as smoking and drinking. Adding that the cruelest punishments were abandonment, shunning and solitary confinement. The brain is tortured by rejection. And just to rest the case of the importance of human bonding and love, Google results for the word “love” are up to 5,980,000,000 as of today!

A passion

To feel satisfied in life, we must have a passion. Something that makes our heart beat in anticipation. This brings meaning into our lives and distracts us from the problems of everyday living. A passion serves as a buffer and an escape from reality.

A purpose

The most difficult thing in life is to find a life purpose. We must all figure out our very unique mission. Find something fulfilling to channel our energy. Having a purpose answers the question: Why am I here? My not-too-ambitious own purpose is to help people achieve their goals. This is reason enough to wake up in the mornings and to feel fulfilled, happy and useful.

We might not enjoy all these five things at the same time, but if we make our goals clear, we will end up enjoying them, having a truly blessed life.