Flip the Pyramid

Anyone else out there like me?

Trying to nail the top of Maslow’s pyramid - ambitious growth goals, self-actualisation, purpose, “success” - when we haven’t even got the base sorted?

So many of us build life from the top down. We chase impact, achievement, and becoming our “best selves” while sacrificing the very foundations that hold us up: sleep, nutrition, rest, stability, emotional safety, routine, and connection.

And sooner or later, it bites us in the butt!!

Because ambition at the expense of our foundations is never sustainable. Eventually the body, the mind, the nervous system, or your relationships - something forces you straight back down to the bottom of the pyramid again.

Often, for me, it isn’t even anything dramatic. It’s just that every week feels chaotic, reactive, and all over the show (hi to all the other mums!). No rhythm, no routine, no grounding. That impacts my sense of physical safety and stability more than I realise.

So lately, I’ve been trying to get back into the habit of checking in on my base first.

How am I looking out of 10 across:
- nutrition
- water
- sleep
- warmth
- homeostasis (my body and nervous system feeling regulated, balanced, and safe)
- stability and routine

What do I need to prioritise this week so I can actually show up for the goals further up the pyramid?

Because I know I’m not the best mother, wife or articulator when I’m sleep deprived or hungry (just ask my husband!).

We can, and should, absolutely continue striving for the top of the pyramid. But we need to keep checking that we’re covering our bases lower down too.

Small habits help more than we think. For me, it’s:

1) 10-minute lunchtime yoga nidra / non-sleep deep rest (a quick recharge for the sleep deprived)

2) getting outside and moving my body daily

3) a ritualised Sunday planning session (prepping food for the week and organising the schedule before Monday hits)

4) booking in date night (with my kids too!) - “show me your diary and I’ll show you your priorities”.

Solid foundations create the conditions for growth. Because we all know what happens when a house is built on sand instead of solid ground…