William Glasser’s Five Basic Needs: A Path to Getting Unstuck

According to the late psychiatrist William Glasser, who developed Choice Theory and Reality Therapy, everything we do is driven by our attempt to meet our Five Basic Needs. What are they? Our five universal needs are survival, love and belonging, power, freedom and fun. Our five basic needs influence our decisions, emotions and overall well-being. Notably, they drive our behaviour in conscious and unconscious ways. Therefore, our five basic needs are crucial to our psychological health and happiness.

Know your five basic needs to empower yourself

Unmet needs can make us feel stuck. That’s why when we know our five basic needs, we can then recognise the signs that these needs are unmet or neglected. Awareness comes first so that we can take proactive steps towards fulfillment. Here’s an introduction to the five basic needs. You will also learn about common signs of unmet needs and how counselling can help.

Survival: Security is foundational 

As living beings, we have a need for physical well-being and safety. We require food and water to live. And we need to be safe in our environments. Survival is an ongoing need so that we can thrive. Without security, we would experience constant stress.

What to do: Exploring resources for financial and emotional security is key to ensuring your survival need is met.

Love and belonging: Yearning for meaningful connections 

Human beings require relationships and emotional bonds to survive and thrive. It is evident in research like a study published in 2022 in the International Journal of Public Health. The study found that greater social connection can lower risks of diagnosed depression and anxiety. When love and belonging are deficient, we experience loneliness and isolation. 

What to do: Do you feel lonely or isolated? Look for supportive communities to bring opportunities for meaningful connections. Many people also find it helpful to explore their attachment styles. Additionally, understanding relationship patterns through psychotherapy can be transformative. During the counselling process, you’ll be able to uncover blocks to creating the emotional bonds you desire. 

Power: The search for self-worth

When you see the word power, do you think about individuals like politicians and billionaires? That came to my mind when I first learned this too. However, according to Glasser, the power need is the desire for mastery, significance, achievement and competence. As human beings, we want to feel valued for our skills and contributions. This need drives us to seek knowledge. It pushes us to grow our talents and abilities. As a result, we develop a sense of meaning and purpose in our lives. When this happens, we feel grounded in our confidence and self-worth. 

What to do: When power is deficient, feelings of low confidence and helplessness grow. You can address this by setting small, achievable goals. Strengths-based counselling approaches can address challenges and blocks. As you work through them, you will rebuild your sense of self-worth.  

Freedom: Longing for autonomy

The ability to make decisions and control one’s life is inherent for all of us. It might drive us to resist societal expectations, rules and situations. We also dream about a different way of life. For example, in a world structured for 9-to-5  work, the gig economy appeals to many. It allows many people to secure their freedom need while meeting their survival need.

What to do: When your need for freedom is insufficiently met, you might feel trapped. It also gets harder to make decisions for your next step. So, nurture your need for autonomy. For instance, to regain control of your time, create boundaries in your personal and professional life. One way is by defining your work and rest hours clearly. If you are charting a new path unique to you, a counsellor can guide you to identify limiting beliefs.

Fun: Space for creativity and joy 

As adults, we often forget something important. That no matter our age, human beings have an innate need for fun. Pleasure, enjoyment and relaxation are essential to our well-being. Think about how play helps us remember and learn things better. The truth is that playfulness is critical to social bonding and learning. Remember that without time for play and leisure, we become prone to burnout and depression. 

What to do: Do you notice yourself feeling a lack of joy or some signs of burnout? It’s likely that your need for fun has been neglected. So, carve out time for hobbies and leisure activities.

How can these five basic needs be met better? 

Notably, different people have varying levels of each need. Some might have more of a specific need, for example, a high need for freedom. That said, love and belonging is the most critical need. That’s because we can satisfy all five basic needs when we are connected to others. 

So, to recap, these unmet needs can manifest in our daily lives. We’d notice it in our motivation level and emotions. Therefore, awareness offers the first step if you yearn to regain balance. Next, you can take action. Are you longing for long-term fulfilment? Psychotherapy provides a supportive environment for addressing these five basic needs. Developing tailored strategies gets you closer to your desires.

Are you ready to get unstuck? Reach out today to schedule a counselling session. Let’s explore and chart your path towards a fulfilling life.