One basic human need is connection, physical touch and a sense of belonging.
As well as: Being acknowledged and welcomed as our authentic (essential/soul) self.

It seems that Maslow’s hierarchy of needs system has gotten into our heads that food and shelter are the base needs.

I dare to differ.

I also dare to say there is no hierarchy but rather a circle made up of rather equal elements.
And made up of all these pieces is the human as a psychosomatic being – psycho here referring soul – a soul-body being with emotions, a mental aspect, endless depth…

Why else do some of us loose their appetite when they are heartbroken?

Or why does a junkie abandon shelter and food for the next hit of substance that provides them with a feeling of being wrapped in a cosy caring cloud…?

Why does one skip meals/starve themselves deliberately in order to meet certain body shape standards that society deems beautiful?
– In order to belong (to an unfortunately distorted status quo).

Or the person who skips meals at work in order to excel and be recognised.

Again, these examples are not very subtle – there’s usually nuance.

Yet, what I want to point out here is this inherent biological human need of recognition for who we authentically are, our need for emotional & physical safety and belonging…

We are tribal beings and so many of today’s actions of humans are a cry for this forgotten need or a way of trying to cope with these unmet basic needs 🤎