💬 What is it?
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a foundational psychological model that outlines the stages of human motivation, growth, and wellbeing. Proposed by psychologist Abraham Maslow in 1943, it suggests that we’re motivated to meet our needs in a specific order — starting with survival and safety, and moving up toward meaning, purpose, and potential.
The model is often shown as a pyramid with five levels:
Physiological Needs – food, water, rest, shelter
Safety Needs – security, health, stability
Love & Belonging – relationships, connection, community
Esteem – confidence, respect, achievement
Self-Actualisation – personal growth, creativity, purpose
In more modern versions, some include Self-Transcendence at the very top — representing spirituality, legacy, or connection beyond the self.
Maslow’s framework reminds us that our mental and emotional wellbeing is deeply tied to whether our human needs are met — not just physically, but emotionally and existentially.

🧠 How does it work?
Maslow believed that people are naturally driven toward growth — but in order to thrive, our more basic needs must be satisfied first. If someone is hungry, unsafe, or lacks belonging, they’re unlikely to focus on self-esteem or purpose.
The model gives us a map of prioritisation. It’s not rigid — we can move up and down the hierarchy depending on life circumstances — but it helps explain why certain challenges (like burnout, anxiety, or insecurity) might stem from deeper unmet needs.
For example:
Struggling with confidence? Maybe it’s a lack of emotional safety.
Feeling stuck in growth? Maybe a need for rest or stability hasn’t been met yet.
The model helps us meet ourselves (and others) with compassion and clarity.

🌱 Why It Works
Maslow’s theory is grounded in humanistic psychology — which focuses on personal potential, emotional needs, and what it means to live a meaningful life.
The hierarchy aligns with both evolutionary needs (survival and safety) and psychological development. Research supports that when lower needs (like sleep, connection, or security) are unmet, the brain prioritises those — often leading to stress, distraction, and emotional distress.
Neuroscience also shows that:
⚖️ The brain constantly scans for threat or lack (linked to survival needs)
🧠 The prefrontal cortex — responsible for reflection and creativity — functions best when basic needs are met
❤️ Oxytocin and dopamine levels rise when we feel connection and purpose — meeting social and esteem needs
The hierarchy doesn’t just show what we want — it shows what we need to flourish.
And perhaps most beautifully: it’s a gentle invitation to grow, no matter where you’re starting from.

🌾 What is it good for?
Maslow’s Hierarchy is a useful lens for:
Identifying unmet needs behind current emotional struggles
Understanding burnout, stress, or motivation issues
Supporting coaching, counselling, or self-reflection
Helping with life planning or goal-setting
Building compassion toward others and yourself
Rebalancing priorities during times of change, loss, or transition

🪞How to use it
Try these steps to apply Maslow’s model personally:
Review each level of the pyramid
Ask yourself: what’s currently being met, and what might be unmet?
Start with the foundations
Prioritise things like sleep, nourishment, routine, and safety.
Build upward
Look at areas like connection, confidence, or creativity. Where are you thriving? Where are you longing for more?
Use it as a check-in tool
Life shifts — use this model regularly to re-anchor into what matters.
Be compassionate
Growth isn’t linear. Moving up and down the pyramid is part of being human.

🧘 Try this: Reflection Prompts
Which level of the pyramid feels most fulfilled right now?
Which one feels depleted, or longing for attention?
How do unmet needs show up in my emotions or habits?
What’s one small way I can meet a need this week?
What does “self-actualisation” mean to me personally?

🌼 Who is this helpful for?
Maslow’s model can support:
Anyone struggling with burnout, motivation, or overwhelm
Therapists, coaches, and clients exploring stuckness or unmet needs
Parents, teachers, or leaders trying to understand others’ behaviour
Individuals on a growth journey who want a grounded self-check
People recovering from instability, trauma, or emotional neglect

🤝 Combine it with…
Maslow’s Hierarchy pairs well with:
Needs vs Wants Models – for deeper needs mapping
Values Clarification – especially at the esteem and self-actualisation levels
Inner Child Work – to explore unmet foundational needs
Mindfulness – for present-moment connection to needs
Goal-Setting Frameworks – to align with personal fulfilment, not just productivity

📌 Final Thought
Maslow’s model isn’t about chasing perfection — it’s about nurturing the foundation beneath your growth.
Whether you’re rebuilding your sense of safety or reaching for creative expansion, you are allowed to tend to your needs — without guilt or comparison.
The pyramid isn’t a ladder to climb — it’s a garden to nourish. 🌿

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