In America, it’s the month we talk about family, and think about food. Which means it’s a perfect week to think about cravings and what they might really mean.

What do you want? Is it a full stomach with delicious foods? The warmth of comforting people and relaxation? Do you crave heat of a different kind? A slow burn ache in your heart, perhaps?

What Are We Craving? – Norma Tanega

In the book, as in life, there’s immediate needs and deeper cravings. A place to stay is an immediate need, but it’s core is craving something more. That’s hitting the need for safety, choosing between adventure and growing roots. But, a place to stay rooted is only walls and habits. The additional parts of that craving is connections. Social interactions, people to go on adventures with, friends you can trust with your secrets. Connections are base level cravings, ones you don’t always think about. It’s so ingrained, you only really notice when you get too lonely. Then you begin to crave your own found family groups.

Friends And Family – The Isley Brothers ft Snoop Dogg

Connecting with people comes with this other dream. Acceptance, love, respect. That’s a craving for warmth. That found family isn’t just for you to talk to. It’s treating each other equally, liking each other’s company, creating bonds that make you feel love. A good group of friends is just as warm to be around as a comfy couch with a blanket and a fire in the fireplace.

Warm Love – Van Morrison

Do you think dreams and cravings go hand in hand? Can the hunger for fame and a career you love fill something in you? The thing about dreams is that you have to chase them to keep them, same as if you want something specific to eat, you have to go through the effort of getting it for yourself. But food cravings are easier. You can get the pie AND the pudding and it’s fine. What if your hunger for this lifelong dream meeting a new craving that could potentially be pie al a mode, if you can make it work. Or, it might just be a pie and a pint of ice cream that doesn’t mix well together, and you have to choose which you crave most in that moment.

Hunger – Florence And The Machine

This song nails cravings perfectly, especially if you’re talking about a bar series. That shot of something strong, that pull to something addicting. That’s not just a want. That’s on the core level chemistry needs. That you can’t explain it away, but they complete you even if you don’t know who you are. You feel incomplete without this other person and if you aren’t together, you want to be. Craving to touch, to hold on and never let go…

Craving You – Thomas Rhett ft Maren Morris