Unlimited

Maslow’s hierarchy is more than just a psychological framework—it’s a mirror reflecting the complexities of human existence. We all navigate these stages, often without realizing it. We chase security, seek connection, strive for recognition, and ultimately yearn for something greater than ourselves. Understanding this hierarchy isn’t about labeling where one is but recognizing that growth is a lifelong journey. At times, life may feel focused on survival, building foundations for stability. Other times, it’s about exploring creativity, forming deep connections, or searching for meaning. Each stage reminds us that every step matters, and no stage is permanent. This perspective encourages self-awareness and compassion, both for ourselves and for others. Growth is never linear, but understanding these layers of human needs can help us find balance, clarity, and direction. The hierarchy reflects a truth about being human—we are always in the process of becoming.

Stage 8: Transcendence Needs 🌌 At the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy lies Transcendence Needs. This stage goes beyond personal fulfillment, focusing on connection to something greater than oneself. It represents the desire for unity, purpose, and meaning that transcends the individual. What Are Transcendence Needs? Transcendence needs include: • Spiritual Connection: Experiencing a sense of oneness with the universe, humanity, or a higher power. • Altruism: Helping others selflessly and contributing to the greater good. • Universal Love: Feeling compassion and deep connection with all life. • Pursuit of Meaning: Seeking profound truths, purpose, and understanding of existence. • Flow States: Losing oneself in fully immersive, meaningful activities. Why Are Transcendence Needs Important? This stage represents the deepest level of human fulfillment, where individual needs dissolve into a broader sense of purpose. When transcendence needs are met, life feels deeply connected, meaningful, and harmonious. Without transcendence, people may experience existential frustration or a sense of disconnection from life’s larger context. Meeting these needs fosters profound peace, joy, and a lasting impact on the world. Transcendence in Modern Life • Meditation and Mindfulness: Practices that help people connect to the present moment and a higher sense of awareness. • Service and Activism: Many find transcendence through helping others or working for causes larger than themselves. • Art and Mysticism: Creative expression and spiritual exploration often lead to transcendent experiences. Transcendence needs are the culmination of human motivation. They guide us beyond the self, connecting us to the infinite and eternal aspects of existence.

Stage 7: Self-Actualization 🌟 After meeting aesthetic needs, the focus turns to Self-Actualization. This stage represents the drive to fulfill one’s potential, grow as a person, and achieve meaningful goals. It is about becoming the best version of oneself and aligning life with personal values and aspirations. What Is Self-Actualization? Self-actualization includes: • Personal Growth: Continuously improving skills, knowledge, and self-awareness. • Authenticity: Living true to one’s values, beliefs, and unique identity. • Creativity: Using imagination and innovation to create meaningful work or experiences. • Purpose: Finding and pursuing what gives life meaning, whether in art, relationships, career, or spirituality. Why Is Self-Actualization Important? Self-actualization brings a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. It is not about achieving perfection but striving to realize one’s unique potential. When self-actualization is unmet, individuals may feel stuck, unmotivated, or disconnected from their purpose. Meeting this need empowers people to live fully, embrace challenges, and make meaningful contributions to the world. Self-Actualization in Action • Examples of Self-Actualization: A musician creating groundbreaking music, a parent raising children with love and care, or an entrepreneur bringing a vision to life. • Continuous Journey: Self-actualization is not a final destination—it is a lifelong process of growth and exploration. This stage reflects the pinnacle of personal development and the fulfillment of one’s deepest potential.

Stage 6: Aesthetic Needs 🎨 Once cognitive needs are satisfied, the focus shifts to Aesthetic Needs. This stage reflects our desire for beauty, harmony, and balance in our surroundings and experiences. It highlights the importance of appreciating and creating beauty in our lives. What Are Aesthetic Needs? Aesthetic needs include: • Appreciation of Beauty: Finding joy in art, music, nature, and design. • Harmony: Seeking order, balance, and symmetry in life and the environment. • Creative Expression: Expressing oneself through art, writing, music, or other forms of creativity. • Inspiration: Experiencing awe and wonder through beautiful or meaningful experiences. Why Are Aesthetic Needs Important? Beauty and harmony nourish the human spirit and provide emotional fulfillment. When surrounded by beauty, we feel inspired, uplifted, and more connected to the world around us. Meeting aesthetic needs allows us to create spaces and experiences that reflect inner peace and joy. When these needs are unmet, life can feel chaotic or dull, impacting our emotional well-being. Aesthetic Needs in Modern Life • Nature and Minimalism: Many people find beauty and balance through simplicity and connection with nature. • Personal Creativity: From photography to journaling, creative hobbies are increasingly popular as a form of self-care. Aesthetic needs enrich life by adding meaning, beauty, and joy to our daily experiences. They create the emotional and spiritual grounding for reaching higher stages of fulfillment.

Stage 5: Cognitive Needs 🧠 Once esteem needs are met, the focus moves to Cognitive Needs. This stage reflects the human desire to understand, explore, and make sense of the world. It is driven by curiosity, learning, and the pursuit of knowledge. What Are Cognitive Needs? Cognitive needs include: • Curiosity: The need to ask questions, seek answers, and explore new ideas. • Learning: Acquiring knowledge, skills, and understanding through study or experience. • Critical Thinking: Making sense of complex problems and finding solutions. • Truth-Seeking: Pursuing clarity, truth, and insight about the world and oneself. Why Are Cognitive Needs Important? Fulfilling cognitive needs allows us to grow intellectually and better understand our environment. This stage is essential for problem-solving, decision-making, and achieving personal growth. When cognitive needs are unmet, people may feel confused, stagnant, or uninspired. The inability to explore or learn limits opportunities for creativity, innovation, and self-improvement. Meeting these needs expands our horizons and empowers us to reach higher levels of fulfillment. Cognitive Needs in Modern Life • Access to Information: The internet has made learning more accessible than ever, but it also presents challenges like misinformation and information overload. • Lifelong Learning: In today’s world, personal and professional growth often relies on continuous learning and adapting to new knowledge. Cognitive needs reflect our innate drive to grow intellectually and deepen our understanding of the world. This stage opens the door to higher creative and spiritual pursuits.

Stage 4: Esteem Needs 🏆 Once love and belonging are fulfilled, the focus shifts to Esteem Needs. This stage revolves around self-worth, recognition, and achieving a sense of accomplishment. It reflects our desire to feel valued by ourselves and others. What Are Esteem Needs? Esteem needs are divided into two categories: • Lower Esteem: • Respect and recognition from others. • Status, reputation, and appreciation for achievements. • Higher Esteem: • Self-respect, inner confidence, and mastery of skills. • A sense of independence and personal capability. Why Are Esteem Needs Important? Meeting esteem needs fosters confidence and motivation. Recognition from others boosts our self-image, while self-respect helps us build resilience and inner stability. When esteem needs are unmet, feelings of inadequacy, inferiority, or self-doubt can arise. This can limit our ability to pursue goals or engage meaningfully with others. When these needs are fulfilled, we feel empowered to take on challenges, grow personally, and contribute to society. Esteem in the Modern World • Social Media Influence: Platforms can amplify esteem needs through validation and recognition but also create challenges like comparison and self-doubt. • Cultural Differences: Some cultures prioritize collective achievement over individual recognition, shaping how esteem needs are pursued. Esteem needs are about finding balance—valuing yourself while seeking meaningful recognition from the world around you.

Stage 3: Love and Belonging Needs ❤️ After addressing physiological and safety needs, the focus shifts to Love and Belonging Needs. Humans are inherently social beings who crave connection, relationships, and a sense of belonging. At this stage, the desire for meaningful bonds becomes a driving force. What Are Love and Belonging Needs? These needs include: • Family Connections: Relationships with parents, siblings, and extended family. • Friendships: Bonds with people who offer companionship, trust, and understanding. • Romantic Relationships: Intimacy, love, and partnerships that bring emotional closeness. • Social Groups and Community: Feeling part of a group, team, or community where you are accepted and valued. Why Are Love and Belonging Needs Important? Without love and belonging, feelings of loneliness and isolation can take hold. Humans thrive on connection—it gives life meaning and helps us navigate challenges. Strong relationships contribute to emotional well-being, self-worth, and overall happiness. When we feel loved and accepted, we are more resilient and confident in pursuing other aspects of growth. The Modern Perspective In today’s world, love and belonging needs have expanded beyond physical interactions. • Digital Communities: Online friendships and virtual spaces now play a significant role in fulfilling connection needs. • Chosen Families: Many people build families of support outside traditional structures, offering deep bonds and understanding. Love and belonging are at the heart of human experience. They provide the emotional grounding we need to move toward higher levels of personal and spiritual growth.

Stage 2: Safety Needs 🛡️ Once our basic physiological needs are met, the next priority is Safety Needs. These needs focus on creating a sense of security, stability, and protection in our lives. Without safety, it becomes difficult to focus on anything beyond immediate survival. What Are Safety Needs? Safety needs include: • Physical Safety: Protection from harm, violence, accidents, or environmental dangers. • Health and Well-being: Access to healthcare and maintaining physical health. • Financial Security: A stable income, employment, and resources to meet current and future needs. • Shelter and Stability: Living in a safe, secure, and predictable environment. • Psychological Safety: Freedom from fear, uncertainty, and emotional distress. Why Are Safety Needs Important? When safety is uncertain, our thoughts and energy become consumed by worry and survival. For example, someone struggling with job insecurity will prioritize finding stable employment over pursuing personal interests or creative goals. Living in an unsafe environment causes constant stress and anxiety, which limits our ability to focus on personal growth and connection. Safety provides a foundation of stability. It allows us to shift our focus to building relationships, achieving goals, and fulfilling higher aspirations.

Stage 1: Physiological Needs 🌱 At the foundation of Maslow’s hierarchy lies the Physiological Needs, the most basic and essential requirements for survival. These needs are the first priority for every living being, as they sustain life itself. Without fulfilling them, higher levels of motivation cannot emerge. What Are Physiological Needs? These needs include: • Air/Oxygen: The most critical need, as life ceases within minutes without it. • Water: Essential for hydration and cellular function. • Food: Provides energy and nutrients to sustain the body. • Sleep: Vital for recovery, mental clarity, and overall health. • Shelter: Protection from harsh environments. • Homeostasis: Maintaining a stable internal balance, such as body temperature and proper functioning of bodily systems. • Excretion: Removal of waste to prevent toxicity. Why Are They Foundational? Physiological needs are non-negotiable. Without these being met, our energy and focus remain entirely directed toward satisfying them. For example, hunger or thirst can dominate your thoughts and make it impossible to focus on anything else. Only once these needs are adequately met can we begin to address safety, relationships, and higher aspirations.

Reminds me of some of my LSD trips. It really is a very powerful and fascinating substance. Glad you had a nice experience.

Have you considered that living on the street and eating only once a day, some carbs together with probably seed oils, might not be very healthy either? Perhaps it’s better in the long run to do some short-term work, even if it’s unhealthy, to build a foundation and be able to live a healthier life later.

If not please say why you prefer taking one only over combining multiple ones together.

I didn't include beige, purple and red in the poll because I don't think anyone here really identifies with one of these the most.

I heard about this before. Could probably work.

Yes they definitely reduce eye strain. The first time I heard about them was from Bryan Johnson and he had them from whoop.com so I bought it there and have had them for over a year now. But I think any brand is fine aslong as the glasses are really orange or at least yellow. It's a good investment in my opinion.

So what are the things you focus on now?

Good points. I wear blue light blocking glasses when I know that I will look for some longer time at some screen or monitor. For my eyes it much more relaxing and I feel like I can also sleep better when I wear them at night.

I was stuck in stage orange for a few years but recently I've noticed some bigger changes within myself. I tried to figure out what it was and then I realized that I finally reached tier 2. There is still green and some orange in me but I see myself the most in yellow now.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

I want to share this diet with you. It is called the Primal Diet and it says that raw food is the only food a human should consume. Especially raw meat is one of the most important parts of it. It might sound gross for some of you but I really believe that this is the best diet that exists. I was very skeptical about it at first but then I decided to try it and see how it benefits me. It was a great decision because I already feel much better after being strict on it for a few months. Eating raw food helps in removing toxins such as heavy metals out of your body. You can kind of call it a detox diet. The guy who invented the diet claims that you can live a disease free life if you follow the diet. I know it is a hard claim to make but I have trust in it. This could be especially beneficial for someone like Leo. I'm pretty sure it can help in solving his health issues. And of course it can help everyone else in here. I also think that it is a pretty good fit to spirituality. Somehow I even got stronger psychedelic trips since I am on it. Must be because I have less heavy metals in my brain now. I'm interested in seeing what you all think of it. If you have any questions let me know. Let's become our healthiest version.

This poll is just about voting the one you are in the most. And maybe you should look into SD again because for me it sounds more like you are in blue than purple.

With a microdose or low dose I play better too but if I take more than that I have a hard time focusing on the game. I also just play Classic in that state instead of Blitz and Rapid because I need more time for calculations.

I can't really say what is different but the mistakes of the bots seem often to be just very random. Maybe it makes more sense to use bots if you are higher rated because then they have more accuracy.

It probably depends on whether you take the game as seriously as you would if you were playing with a human. I make more stupid mistakes playing against a bot than against humans because I care less about winning. Another thing is that bots make their moves immediately after you made yours which plays more of a role though if you play on limited time. You can practice with a bot but in my experience playing against humans is better for improving.

Thanks, currently I'm not following any diet but I still try to eat as healthy as possible. I'm also still eating pasture raised eggs to have some sort of protein source.