Hierarchy of Needs

A one-page reflection built on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs — the pyramid that arranges human needs in order, from the basics of the body at the wide base up to self-actualization at the narrow summit. You name the season you're checking in on, then move up the five tiers: physiological (sleep, food, rest), safety (security, stability, health, savings), love and belonging (friendship, family, connection), esteem (confidence, respect, achievement), and self-actualization (growth, meaning, becoming who you could be). The point of stacking them is that the tiers rest on each other — when something higher feels shaky, the fix usually lives in a tier beneath it. It's easy to chase esteem or purpose while running on six hours of sleep and a frayed support network; laid out this way, the neglected foundation becomes obvious. Use it as a quarterly or mid-year self-check, a therapy or coaching prep sheet, or a calm way to figure out what actually needs attention next. Print it blank to fill in by hand.

• Portrait
• 1 page
• Reflection

Best for: A grounded self-check on where your basic, emotional, and growth needs stand right now — and which foundation to shore up first.