Many of us understand that we have physical needs like nutrition, sleep, and so on. What most of us are a little fuzzy on are the emotional needs. What are they? We know our feelings are symptoms of not getting these needs met, but what exactly are the needs for us to be on the look out for?
Lesson 1: Safety & Security
In this track, we dive into the need for us all to feel safe emotionally. This is tougher to determine than physical safety and security as we need to be able to determine WHO and WHERE we feel safe enough to be ourselves and secure enough to reveal ourselves.
Lesson 2: Privacy
In this track, we discuss the need for privacy. In the discussion of introversion and extraversion, often times we forget that we have both qualities within ourselves and just need to find the right balance.
Lesson 3: Intimacy
In this track, we define the need for emotional intimacy. Not to be confused with physical intimacy, emotional intimacy is when we feel we can show all of ourselves - "warts-n-all" - to another and be accepted for this. The people who love us "no matter what" helps us to feel that we can be vulnerable and disclose our darkest secrets. Whereas Safety and Security is about expression, Intimacy is about reciprocated vulnerability.
Lesson 4: Attention
In this track we discuss the need for attention. Absolutely vital form of emotional nutrition for us. To both give and receive attention is vital for our bonding and connection with others. How we enjoy and automatically prefer to give and receive attention is worth examination.
Lesson 5: Community
In this track, we discuss the importance of connection to community. It truly helps with the feelings of belonging and a rootedness that helps justify why to remain in a particular situation. The results of ignoring this need is the feeling of isolation and being alone.
Lesson 6: Status
In this track, we discuss the importance of having a standing inside the community or communities of our preference. We want to be known in our chosen communities for being "the person who you have to see if you are interested in X". Being unique and identifiable is important for our feelings of worth.
Lesson 7: Meaning
In this track, we discuss meaning and purpose. Something that many people feel they lack. I contend that meaning is defined by the thing we wish to see most in the world, either through identifying the problem that exists in the world, or by following the things we feel inspired by.
Lesson 8: Control
In this track, we discuss control. It is a dire need for humans! The ability to take responsibility for ourselves, and to have a hand in our fate is something that motivates us. This need is one of the top in my opinion.
Lesson 9: Achievement
We must push ourselves so that others can benefit. But that depends on many things; How much are we stretching ourselves? Are we often setting unachievable targets? Are we looking at our capabilities honestly?
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