How Understanding Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Can Connect You To Your Life’s Purpose
We can get so caught up in people pleasing and living life for other people that we forget to connect with ourselves, and meet our own needs. Maslow’s theory of needs gives us context for how a person reaches their fullest potential through meeting certain needs innate to all humans. One important note is that the needs don’t need to be 100% met, before starting to work through the next level.
If you feel at a cross roads in life, wondering what your next step is, wondering why you don’t feel the fulfillment you think you should after what you’d consider as a major success…listen up!! Before getting to a place of self-fulfillment and hearing your soul’s true calling, connecting with your life’s purpose, you need to begin to meet other needs your body is asking for. We are soul’s living in a body, and without a body functioning at a certain capacity to meet the next level of needs, we might not be able to hear the whispers of our soul’s calling. It’s quiet because the body doesn’t have the capacity to even live it out, and might even feel overwhelming to a body that doesn’t have its basic needs met.
Incoming Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The theory is that for us to meet self-actualization and life’s purpose we need to work through certain levels or have most of the needs met in that category. Think about it like the phrase “filling up your cup so it overflows into other’s lives and out with the work you do”.
Let’s talk about them here:
Level 1: Physiological—Basic Physical Needs
These include air, food, water, warmth, shelter, sleep, sex, etc.
Consider your most basic needs for survival. The food you eat to fuel your life’s work, getting enough water for the day, the comfort and warmth of your home, getting enough rest, and meeting your intimate needs.
Level 2: Safety Needs
Think of this in terms of physical safety, being free from harm, feel financially secure, no detriment to your health, and wellness needs have been met.
Level 3: Belongingness and Love Needs
These include trusting and affectionate relationships with friends, family, and significant others. Consider strengthening relationship bonds through movement, meals, and social experiences that increase your mental, emotional, and physical wellness.
Level 4: Esteem Needs
This may include self-esteem, peer-esteem, respect, and reputation.
Respect from your peers, inner confidence, being happy with how you show up in the world, respect for others.
Level 5: Self-Actualization
It is an autonomous path to identify who you are and what your purpose is. Meeting your potential could be artistic, financial, physical/athletic, academic, or familial. It’s completely unique to you!
Think about when you are on a relaxing vacation, no stress or worries in sight. I know for me, the most creative ideas drop in when I feel relaxed, regulated, and like all of my needs are met. And when I am hungry or sleep deprived? I’m less able to tap into that creativity.
Feeling a little stuck? Constantly feeling drained and unfulfilled? Well, you’re in luck, because the Soul Searching 101: A Reflective Guide for Intentional Living and Inner Alignment is dropping May 2025, full of journal prompts to continuously check in with yourself and get yourself back to aligning with your soul’s purpose.
Stay Tuned!
