Maslow placed self-actualisation at the top of his famous hierarchy of needs. It represented a person’s journey to become the fullest version of themselves. For Maslow, this included:

• Personal growth
• Creativity and authenticity
• Spontaneity
• Autonomy
• Meaningful relationships
• A sense of morality and purpose

Self-actualised people, in his research, tended to be humble, truth-seeking, deeply connected to their values, and capable of experiencing “peak experiences”—those transcendent moments of pure joy, connection, or clarity.

🌍 How These Ideas Apply in Today’s World

1. 🔄 Needs Are Not Always Met Sequentially

Maslow suggested people move through levels of need—from survival to safety, love/belonging, esteem, and then self-actualisation. But modern psychology and trauma-informed approaches have shown that people often pursue meaning and growth even in hardship. Refugees write poetry. People in poverty raise strong families. Survivors of abuse develop deep compassion and insight.

Modern View: Self-actualisation isn’t reserved for the privileged. Healing, creativity, and growth can emerge even while safety and esteem are still being rebuilt.

2. 🧠 Trauma, Healing & Emotional Intelligence

Today, we understand that many people struggle with developmental trauma, emotional neglect, or chronic stress, which can interrupt access to self-actualising behaviours. However, with the rise of neuroscience, somatic therapy, and emotional intelligence, there is now a clearer path to re-regulate the nervous system and reclaim the possibility of growth.

Modern View: Self-actualisation is deeply linked with healing. It’s not just about achieving goals but about becoming emotionally whole and self-aware.

3. 🌐 The Role of Technology and Social Media

Maslow couldn’t have foreseen how digital life would affect our sense of identity. In a world of filters, metrics, and curated personas, it’s harder than ever to know the authentic self. Social comparison, online performance, and external validation can create barriers to true self-actualisation.

Yet, social media also offers platforms for self-expression, especially for marginalised voices, and access to communities that affirm personal growth and identity.

Modern View: Self-actualisation now includes navigating digital spaces with authenticity and boundary-awareness.

4. 🤝 From “Me” to “We”: A Shift Toward Self-Transcendence

Later in life, Maslow proposed a higher level than self-actualisation—self-transcendence. This involves going beyond the self to serve others, pursue spiritual growth, or align with causes bigger than oneself. In today’s world, there’s a growing movement towards collective healing, social justice, environmental activism, and spiritual awakening.

Modern View: Self-actualisation isn’t just about becoming your best self—it’s about contributing to a better world.

5. 🧭 Redefining Success and Wholeness

In Maslow’s day, self-actualisation often reflected big achievements or creative genius. Today, we’re more aware that actualisation can be quiet and internal. For some, it’s raising children with love, starting a healing journey, setting boundaries, or breaking generational cycles of abuse.

Modern View: True self-actualisation can look like self-compassion, integrity, or inner peace—not necessarily external accolades.

🪞Examples of Modern-Day Self-Actualisation

• A trauma survivor starting a support group to help others heal.
• An artist living simply but expressing their truth through their work.
• A therapist embodying calm, presence, and purpose after years of burnout.
• A single parent healing generational wounds and raising emotionally attuned children.
• An individual rejecting societal pressure to chase status and instead choosing authenticity.

💬 Final Reflection

In a world that often pushes productivity over presence, comparison over connection, and external success over internal truth, Maslow’s idea of self-actualisation is both radical and grounding.

It invites us to ask:

• Who am I beneath the noise?
• What gives me meaning, not just pleasure?
• Am I living in alignment with who I truly am?
• How can I grow, heal, and give back from a place of wholeness?

Ultimately, self-actualisation today is not a luxury—it’s a vital, soulful reclamation of our humanity. It is an ongoing journey, not a destination. And it matters more than ever.

      ┌──────────────────────────────┐
      │    SELF-TRANSCENDENCE        │
      │  ⮕ Serving others, purpose   │
      │  ⮕ Spiritual connection      │
      │  ⮕ Collective healing        │
      └──────────────────────────────┘
      ┌──────────────────────────────┐
      │     SELF-ACTUALISATION       │
      │  ⮕ Authenticity              │
      │  ⮕ Creative expression       │
      │  ⮕ Personal growth           │
      │  ⮕ Emotional healing         │
      └──────────────────────────────┘
      ┌──────────────────────────────┐
      │      ESTEEM NEEDS            │
      │  ⮕ Confidence                │
      │  ⮕ Recognition (inner + outer)│
      │  ⮕ Healthy pride             │
      └──────────────────────────────┘
      ┌──────────────────────────────┐
      │  LOVE + BELONGING NEEDS      │
      │  ⮕ Emotional intimacy        │
      │  ⮕ Community & acceptance    │
      │  ⮕ Co-regulation & attachment│
      └──────────────────────────────┘
      ┌──────────────────────────────┐
      │      SAFETY NEEDS            │
      │  ⮕ Physical safety           │
      │  ⮕ Psychological safety      │
      │  ⮕ Financial and housing     │
      └──────────────────────────────┘
      ┌──────────────────────────────┐
      │  PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS         │
      │  ⮕ Food, water, sleep        │
      │  ⮕ Health and rest           │
      └──────────────────────────────┘