A Creative Hierarchy of Needs

Hierarchy of Needs from a Creativity Coach

Today we will explore Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and make some adjustments to account for your creative needs. Your creative personality has fundamental aspects with specific needs.  Specifically, you need to create to be well. This is according to my own research, my own practice, and my practice with Creativity Coaching and Creativity Counseling clients. 

Hierarchy of Needs from Abraham Maslow

Abraham Maslow wrote a paper in 1943 called “The Theory of Human Motivation,” in which he introduced a hierarchy of human needs.  According to Maslow, there are five levels of needs: physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem and self-actualization.  The levels are often depicted on a pyramid, with physiological at the bottom and self-actualization at the top.  As the theory goes, the needs on the bottom level of the pyramid must be fully met before the next layer can be addressed, and so on. Importance is roughly associated with the needs at the bottom of the pyramid first and the top of the pyramid last.

Hierarchy of Needs from Psychology

As theorists do in psychology, they have debated Maslow’s ideas over the years, some agreeing, others disagreeing and most somewhere in between.  In my experience, the top three layers of the pyramid (self actualization, esteem, and love and belonging) can overlap and change order depending on any number of personal variables.  But, the bottom two, physiological and safety, stay fairly consistently primary needs that must be satisfied before the other three. Physiological needs are generally where I categorize some of the self-care fundamentals I teach my patients, like eating 3 meals a day, sleeping 7 hours each night, keeping your body healthy and active, and so on.  In accordance with Maslow, I maintain that these needs must be met before much progress can be made anywhere else (need to improve a relationship? Make sure you are meeting your own basic needs first!). ​

Hierarchy of Needs from Creativity Coaching and Creativity Counseling

Maslow’s hierarchy places creativity in the highest category of self actualization.  In other words, Maslow essentially believed that physiological, safety, love/belonging and esteem needs had to be met and prioritized before creativity could be addressed and achieved.  I can imagine circumstances in which this is true.  However, I work with you, a creative person.  My research and clinical practice tell me that if you place this level of priority on your creativity, you will suffer.  Being creative for you, dear creative, should be in the same group as your physiological and safety needs.  Seem extreme?  Maybe- but also accurate.  In session I will encourage you in the same breath as getting enough food and sleep, to be creative.  Your creative soul needs to create to be well, be safe, feel loved, have self esteem, and self actualize!

Counseling for an Artist's Hierarchy of Needs

Do not underestimate the power and importance of being creative.  Feeling down? Ask yourself how creative you have been.  Think about some of your happier and more fulfilled periods in life- how creative were you then?  Creativity is your superpower and your gasoline.  Evaluate the level of creativity in your life. In Creativity Counseling and Creativity Coaching, you can and strategize how to prioritize your creativity to heal and be well!

Online Coaching for Creatives and Online Counseling for Creatives for a Healthy Hierarchy of Needs

​If you are interested in real, impactful and lasting life change for your creative mind, I would love to help you.  Let's connect and launch your life to the next level!  I have three steps you can take, right now from my site if you are ready to take an important step forward in your life: 
1) Join my Artists in Residency Program.  This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 
2) Book a Free Consultation.  All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed.
3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you.

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