Living for something bigger than yourself

Living for something bigger than yourself (Photo: iStock)

A life lived solely for oneself can leave a strange emptiness. It creeps in quietly, masquerading as freedom or success, until one day you realise that, despite having achieved everything you set out to do, something essential is missing. You've climbed ladders, collected accolades and perhaps even curated an impressive-looking life. Yet the stirring inside your chest grows louder. Is this all there is?

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is one of the most referenced psychological models of human motivation. It's a neat pyramid outlining what we need to survive and then to thrive, from food and safety to love and self-esteem, with self-actualisation at the peak.