We learned about Maslows Heirarchy Of Needs in Grade 6. I vividly remember learning about them. I’m not sure why the memory is so strong for me, because it’s been 30 years since I learned about them and I’m only now understanding them from a life experience point of view.
I read that his hierarchy might be outdated, but I don’t recall why the author thought that and I’m not sure I agree. As an adult I now see it with new eyes.
The point Maslow was making was that we make our way up from the bottom of the pyramid to the top. Until we become secure in one level we aren’t able to move up to the next one.
If you are in survival mode, you won’t be able to access your full potential or creativity, even if you think you should be able to “by now”.
I was stuck trying to master the green area for a lot of years. I was physically safe, but I didn’t feel emotionally safe. I felt like I was constantly walking on eggshells and in self preservation mode all of the time. When I tried to bring the light in, be vulnerable, or open up about how I was feeling insecure or afraid, I felt like I was attacked and it was used against me. It wasn’t ok for me to be not ok and I didn’t have the space to explore why so I began to shut down, stuff it all inside and push my way through life.
Emotional safety is a way bigger deal than most of us think it is. We think we should be stronger than we are, have a big enough heart to handle the burden, and can love our way through life. But if you don’t feel safe you can’t even begin to explore your full potential.
Belonging matters. It’s the next level on the hierarchy. You need to securely believe you belong and you are loved.
Being seen and recognized for your accomplishments matters. Share the wins in your life. Until you feel seen for who you are and what you’re doing, you can’t move on to the top level.
Self-actualization is where all of the fun begins,
Seeing the hierarchy of needs didn’t mean as much in Grade 6 as it does when you have fought your way through all of the levels.
You naturally progress through the levels as you find security in each one. Can you see it in yourself?