The Bare Necessities

This is not about the Jungle Book but rather an interesting programme last night which was all about people having far too many possessions that they don’t always use and need. The idea was a group of people had everything they owned taken away from them but were able to stay in their homes so had a roof over their heads as well as heating and electricity, (they even had to remove the clothes they were wearing!) and each day they were allowed to choose one item back of their choice.

It was really interesting seeing what the first few items were and why people had chosen them. It also made me realise how lucky most of us actually are that we have all these things and I think we often take them all for granted. For example, the first thing they all chose were clothes, a mattress and money for food. These are all basic things that I can’t imagine living without yet there are still some people nowadays that don’t have these things and certainly not of the highest quality, both in our countries and in other poorer countries. This really resonated in my mind and I think it was a clever programme making me feel this way making me appreciate the small things even more.

I started thinking, what are the top 15 items I would choose and why? So below is my list (I tried to put it in order!) and some reasons why I chose them…

1) Clothes – for warmth, comfort, security, acceptance in society

2) Mattress – to ensure a good night’s sleep which is vital for living and to feel human!

3) Money – to buy food and other necessities

4) Duvet – to keep warm, comfort

5) Shoes – protection and warmth

6) Pillow – extra comfort

7) Phone – to enable contact with family and friends

8) Phone charger – obvious reasons

9) Toothbrush and toothpaste – hygiene

10) Toiletries – shower gel, deodorant etc. – hygiene

11) Perfume

12) Makeup bag – mini mirror, mascara, eyeliner, powder, concealer, lipstick, Vaseline, foundation and makeup brushes (I can’t live without make up it makes me feel human)

13) Internet – access to the world locally and globally

14) Laptop and charger (enables me to have contact with the world, enables me to research things etc.

15) A watch – it is essential to know the time nowadays