Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a model for understanding the motivations for human behavior. These include physiological needs, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
Lower-level basic needs like food, water, and safety must be met first before higher needs can be fulfilled. Few people are believed to reach the level of self-actualization, but we can all have moments of peak experiences.
Self-actualization entails being one’s true and best self — the realizing of one’s full potential. For this reason, our need for self-actualization includes our need for authenticity. Self-actualization is a lifelong journey, where individuals continuously strive to become the best version of themselves.