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What if becoming your highest self wasn’t some vague dream, but a real psychological process?
Self-actualization, popularized by humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow, is frequently used as a trendy buzzword. However, it is grounded in genuine research that explains our deep-seated desire for more than just basic necessities like food, shelter, or money. We seek meaning in our lives and aspire to become the individuals we are meant to be.
The Psychology Behind It: Maslow’s Theory of Motivation
Abraham Maslow proposed a groundbreaking idea: that humans are driven by a set of needs that build on one another. This became known as the Hierarchy of Needs, part of his Theory of Motivation first published in 1943. At the core of it? Growth, not just survival.
“Man is a perpetually wanting animal.”
– Abraham H. Maslow, A Theory of Human Motivation (1943)
Maslow believed that once our basic needs are met, we naturally move toward growth, creativity, love, and meaning. But when lower needs aren’t satisfied, it’s hard—if not impossible—to focus on the higher ones.
Bonus: Struggling to Meet Basic Needs? Start Here 
Before you chase self-actualization, let’s get real—your basic needs matter.
If you’re navigating financial stress or trying to save money while making ends meet, we’ve got you covered. Head over to this guide on money-saving tips for low-income families to get practical strategies rooted in psychology and everyday wisdom.
It’s not just budgeting—it’s self-respect in action.
Because self-actualization begins after your basic needs like shelter and food are met.
What Is Self-Actualization, Really?
Self-actualization is the process of becoming your truest, fullest self. It’s not perfection. It’s not hustle. It’s a state where you:
- Feel in alignment with your purpose (or a higher one)
- Express yourself creatively (and authentically)
- Act from your values
- Seek truth and pursue justice
- Appreciate beauty in everyday life
- Build genuine human connections
“What a man can be, he must be.” — Abraham H. Maslow, Motivation and Personality (1954)
If you feel like something inside you is calling out to be more, to grow, to help others, or to create something meaningful—that’s the pull of self-actualization.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (Original 5 Stages)
Maslow laid out a pyramid of five essential needs. Here’s a breakdown:
- Physiological Needs – food, water, rest
- Safety Needs – security, health, financial stability
- Love and Belonging – connection, intimacy, community
- Esteem Needs – self-worth, accomplishment, respect
- Self-Actualization – creativity, purpose, authenticity
“”The story of the human race is the story of men and women selling themselves short.” —Abraham H. Maslow, Motivation and Personality (1954)”
You can’t skip to the top and achieve self-actualization unless your lower-level needs are secure. That’s why it’s important to take care of your foundations.
The Expanded Model: Beyond the Pyramid
Maslow later expanded his model to include three more stages above self-actualization:
- Cognitive Needs – a thirst for knowledge and understanding
- Aesthetic Needs – desire for beauty, order, and harmony
- Transcendence Needs – the drive to help others self-actualize and connect with something beyond yourself
These upper needs are often overlooked because not a lot of people know about them, but they’re deeply tied to feelings of joy, wisdom, and peace.
Are You Moving Toward Self-Actualization?
Here are a few signs you’re heading in the right direction:
- You value meaningful experiences over material things
- You seek truth, even when it’s uncomfortable
- You feel called to create, teach, or help others
“”Self-actualizing people live more in the real world of nature than in the man-made mass of concepts, abstractions, expectations, beliefs, and stereotypes.” — Abraham H. Maslow, The Farther Reaches of Human Nature (1971)”
Self-actualization isn’t a destination—it’s a practice.
How to Start Your Journey (Even If Life Feels Messy)
You don’t need a perfect life to start growing. You just need intention.
Here are a few ways to begin:
Prioritize your safety and well-being first
Reflect daily on your values and how you live them (download your Free 75-page self-discovery journal and list of values here).
Practice creative expression in any form (writing, art, music, style, environment)
Journal regularly to understand yourself better
“”One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” — Abraham H. Maslow, The Farther Reaches of Human Nature (1971)”
Try these prompts in your journal today:
- What makes me feel most alive?
- Where do I feel safe enough to grow?
- What part of me wants to emerge this year?
Your Next Step: Download the Free Journal from Satori Forest 
Want to dig deeper into your personal growth?
*Download the FREE 75-page Self-Discovery Journal from Satori Forest, my digital resource hub designed to make learning and healing easy and manageable. (proven resources, techniques, and tools) (CLICK HERE!)
Use it to:
- Explore your needs and patterns
- Set goals aligned with your purpose
- Discover what self-actualization looks like for you
“”In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety.” — Abraham H. Maslow, The Farther Reaches of Human Nature (1971)”
The journey starts now.
