Understanding Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs – A Tool for Self-Awareness and Growth
In life, we often ask ourselves questions like: Why do I feel stuck? Why do I keep chasing the next thing and still feel unfulfilled? Sometimes, the answer lies in understanding what we actually need - not just on the surface, but deep down.
That’s where Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs comes in.
A Quick Overview
Psychologist Abraham Maslow developed the Hierarchy of Needs as a framework to understand human motivation. It’s often represented as a pyramid with five levels:
Physiological Needs – Food, water, shelter, sleep.
Safety Needs – Security, health, financial stability.
Love and Belonging – Relationships, connection, sense of community.
Esteem Needs – Confidence, achievement, respect.
Self-Actualisation – Personal growth, purpose, reaching your full potential.
Each level builds on the one before it. If your basic needs aren’t met, it can be hard to focus on higher-level goals like confidence or self-fulfilment. But life is rarely linear - we move up and down this pyramid as circumstances change.
Be Aware of Where You’re At
Like all things in life, awareness is the starting point. Take a moment to ask yourself:
Am I secure in my day-to-day needs?
Do I feel safe - physically, emotionally, financially?
Do I feel connected to others?
Do I feel respected and confident in myself?
Am I pursuing something that feels meaningful?
When you have clarity on where you are, you’re better equipped to make decisions to move yourself forward.
Integrating This Into Your Journey
In our Accountability Buddy Program, one of the first things we explore is your values and, more importantly, whether you are working towards them at the moment. Your values shape how you see the world, what motivates you, and what you define as success. When you pair that with an understanding of where you currently sit on Maslow’s pyramid, it becomes a powerful tool to guide your next steps.
For those who are just beginning to explore life intentionally - maybe you’re stepping into a new season, career, or healing phase - working with someone who can reflect things back to you is invaluable. This program offers space for that reflection. It’s not about rushing to the top of the pyramid, but about understanding what’s true for you right now and choosing to grow from there.
Whether you're trying to build better habits, find more meaning, or simply feel more grounded, Maslow’s Hierarchy is a helpful reminder that all needs are valid - and progress starts with knowing yourself.
Curious to learn more? Join our next workshop and begin your exploration with the support of a small, committed group who are also on their growth journey.
