Maslow's Hierarchy

I know what you're thinking- what's with the weird pyramid.
It's called "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs".

This principle (developed by a guy named Maslow in 1943) represents a theory of how humans are motivated to meet their needs. We know the human mind is amazing and complex. This theory suggests that our most basic needs (the ones that help us to survive) make up the base or foundation of our pyramid. Just like building a pyramid or a tower, we have to meet these basic needs before we can start to build upwards towards the more complex ones.

It's important to realize that people don't move straight up the pyramid. They may move up, and slide back down at any point depending on what is going on in their lives.

This is no considered a failure- this is just living.

Basic Needs (Physiologic Needs)

These are the most simple things that are needed for our bodies to survive: Air, Warmth, Food, Water, Shelter, Clothing. If these are not satisfied or met, the human body will not feel safe and cannot function. Your brain will likely not let you focus on other tasks until you have met these to some degree.

Safety Needs

Once a person has met their basic needs, they will seek to make sure they can easily access them, or maintain them. People look for predictability and safety. If they no longer have to actively search for the things to meet their basic needs, they will be able to consider the next steps. Sometimes it takes a bit of work to reach a sense of stability.

Examples:

For people who have experienced homelessness or a lack of food, this will look like having a steady income and housing, and getting signed up for assistance with WIC.

For pregnant persons, this can mean having regular, uneventful (even "boring") prenatal visits.

For those in recovery, this can mean having a steady supply of their recovery medications (Subutex, Suboxone, Methadone), or having a stable sponsor to turn to.

For someone actively using substances who has not yet found recovery, this could mean finding a stable supply of drugs so that they do not have to worry about withdrawal or getting sick.

Belonging

Once basic and safety needs are met, human emotional need begins to be a priority. Belongingness refers to human needs for meaningful relationships, a sense of belonging to a family or group, and a feeling of connectedness. Mainly: not feeling alone. Feeling loved and needed by others.

Examples:

Feeling like you have friends or support.

Feeling like you have people you can trust or turn to if you needed help.

For people in recovery, this means having relationships with people outside of using substances.

For postpartum individuals, this means feeling like your baby loves and needs you.

Self Esteem

Once people have a sense of connection and bonding, they can start to develop a sense of self-worth, accomplishment and self-respect.

Examples:

For those who are parenting, this could be believing you are a good parent.

For those with a history of trauma or anxiety, this could be believing you are strong and worthy of love.

For those in recovery, this could be becoming confident as someone in recovery and accepting you are a good person worthy of love and respect despite prior behaviors/experiences/actions.

Self-Actualization

Self-actualization needs are at the peak of the pyramid. These can be sought after and met when someone recognizes their full potential and starts to look for opportunities for personal growth and personal fulfillment.

In short, once you have the belief that you are a worthy, amazing person, you start to try to be the best version of yourself you can be!

And you believe you can do it!