The fundamentals of self are the key habits and routines that maintain our sense of self, stretching across both physical, emotional and mental dimensions.
These are mostly the little things we do, like taking a cold shower in the morning, drinking a glass of water after waking up, dedicating a few minutes to jotting down whats on our mind, or even going for a run.
These are habits we engage with regularly, even in times of great adversity when nothing seems to make sense. When our very reason for being is questioned, strong fundamentals of self can provide much needed strength and continuity.
This concept is based on Abraham Maslow’s "Hierarchy of Needs". He had the idea to visualize our capacity for action in a pyramid, where our most basics needs form the foundation for our more complex dreams of self actualization. Psychologist Phil Stutz called this foundation "Life Force".
This is the basic strength and confidence in our abilities. This is a way for us to demonstrate self-sufficiency even in times of doubt. If our most basic needs are met across the board, we will find ourselves in a much better position to answer life’s difficult questions.
Sources and Further Reading
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. (2023, January 13). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs&oldid=1133379148
Practices to Build Your Life Force. (n.d.). THE TOOLS. Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://www.thetoolsbook.com/blog/practices-to-build-your-life-force
