# Are Your Needs Being Met?
## The 5 Basic Needs Self-Assessment for Women
### *A Free Resource from The Healed Human*

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> *"Almost all human suffering is caused by an inability to meet one or more of the five basic needs."*
> — William Glasser, Choice Theory

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## Why Your Needs Matter

Have you ever felt chronically empty, restless, or "off" — but couldn't name exactly why?

Have you ever gone through a time when everything seemed fine on the outside but you felt hollow on the inside?

Often, what we're experiencing in those moments is *need deprivation* — one or more of our core psychological needs going chronically unmet. And when that happens, we can't simply think our way out of it. The need must be acknowledged and addressed.

Dr. William Glasser, the founder of Reality Therapy, identified **five universal psychological needs** that every human being is driven by. Understanding which of yours are — and aren't — being met is one of the most clarifying and compassionate things you can do for yourself.

This assessment is your starting point.

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## The Five Basic Needs

**1. Survival**
The need to feel physically safe, stable, and cared for. This includes food, shelter, health, safety, and a basic sense of security.

**2. Love & Belonging**
The need to feel genuinely connected — to be truly seen, accepted, and loved by others. This is not just about having people around you; it's about feeling like you *belong.*

**3. Power & Achievement**
The need to feel capable, significant, and effective. To know that you matter, that you contribute, that you are competent. This is not power *over* others — it is personal power.

**4. Freedom**
The need to feel that you have choices — that your life is your own. To be able to make decisions, express yourself, and live with a sense of autonomy.

**5. Fun & Joy**
The need for playfulness, laughter, creativity, and simple delight. The experience of learning something new, of being present in a moment of joy, of letting yourself be light.

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## Part 1: The Assessment

For each statement, rate yourself from **1 to 5:**

**1** = This is almost never true for me
**2** = This is rarely true for me
**3** = This is sometimes true for me
**4** = This is often true for me
**5** = This is almost always true for me

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### SURVIVAL NEED

| Statement | Score (1–5) |
|-----------|-------------|
| I feel physically safe in my daily environment. | |
| My basic physical needs (food, sleep, shelter) are consistently met. | |
| I have access to healthcare and take care of my body. | |
| I feel financially stable enough to meet my basic needs. | |
| I generally feel secure — not in a constant state of threat or crisis. | |

**Survival Score Total:** _______ / 25

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### LOVE & BELONGING NEED

| Statement | Score (1–5) |
|-----------|-------------|
| I have at least one relationship where I feel truly seen and accepted. | |
| I feel like I belong somewhere — a community, family, or circle of people. | |
| I can be vulnerable with at least one person without fear of judgment. | |
| I feel loved — not for what I do, but for who I am. | |
| I experience genuine connection regularly in my life. | |

**Love & Belonging Score Total:** _______ / 25

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### POWER & ACHIEVEMENT NEED

| Statement | Score (1–5) |
|-----------|-------------|
| I feel capable and effective in areas that matter to me. | |
| I feel like my voice and opinions matter to the people around me. | |
| I take credit for my achievements without minimizing them. | |
| I feel significant — like my presence and contributions make a difference. | |
| I have goals I'm actively working toward and feel competent in pursuing. | |

**Power & Achievement Score Total:** _______ / 25

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### FREEDOM NEED

| Statement | Score (1–5) |
|-----------|-------------|
| I feel like I have real choices in how I live my life. | |
| I can express my opinions and feelings without significant fear of consequences. | |
| I am not trapped in situations, relationships, or roles I deeply resent. | |
| I have autonomy over my time, my body, and my decisions. | |
| I feel like the author of my own life story. | |

**Freedom Score Total:** _______ / 25

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### FUN & JOY NEED

| Statement | Score (1–5) |
|-----------|-------------|
| I regularly do things simply because they bring me joy — no productivity required. | |
| I laugh genuinely and often. | |
| I make space for creativity, play, or hobbies in my life. | |
| I can be present and enjoy a moment without guilt or distraction. | |
| I feel genuinely alive and delighted by something at least a few times a week. | |

**Fun & Joy Score Total:** _______ / 25

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## Part 2: Your Needs Profile

Write your scores here:

| Need | My Score | Out of |
|------|----------|--------|
| Survival | | 25 |
| Love & Belonging | | 25 |
| Power & Achievement | | 25 |
| Freedom | | 25 |
| Fun & Joy | | 25 |

**Understanding Your Scores:**
- **20–25:** This need is generally well met in your life
- **13–19:** This need is partially met — there's room to nurture it more intentionally
- **7–12:** This need is significantly unmet and likely contributing to low mood, disconnection, or low self-worth
- **Below 7:** This need is critically unmet and may need immediate attention

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## Part 3: Reflection Questions

**Which need received your lowest score?**

_______________________________________________

**How does the deprivation of this need show up in your daily life?** *(In your mood, behavior, relationships, choices)*

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
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**When was the last time this need felt truly met? What was happening then?**

_______________________________________________
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**What behaviors or patterns have you developed — consciously or unconsciously — to try to meet this need?** *(Are they working? Are some of them harmful?)*

_______________________________________________
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**Which need received your highest score? What has supported that need being met?**

_______________________________________________
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## Part 4: Deepening Your Understanding

For your **two lowest-scoring needs**, answer the following:

### Lowest Need: _______________________

**What is one specific way this need is not being met right now?**

_______________________________________________
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**What is one realistic, concrete step you could take this week to begin meeting this need?**

_______________________________________________
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**What has gotten in the way of meeting this need in the past?**

_______________________________________________
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**What would your life feel like if this need were consistently met?**

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

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### Second Lowest Need: _______________________

**What is one specific way this need is not being met right now?**

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

**What is one realistic, concrete step you could take this week to begin meeting this need?**

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

**What has gotten in the way of meeting this need in the past?**

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

**What would your life feel like if this need were consistently met?**

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

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## Part 5: Your Daily Needs Check-In

Going forward, try this simple daily practice. Each morning, spend 2 minutes asking yourself:

*"Which of my five needs is most calling for attention today?"*

Then ask: *"What is one small thing I can do today to honor that need?"*

You can use this simple tracker for 14 days:

| Day | Need Calling for Attention | One Small Action I'll Take |
|-----|---------------------------|---------------------------|
| 1 | | |
| 2 | | |
| 3 | | |
| 4 | | |
| 5 | | |
| 6 | | |
| 7 | | |
| 8 | | |
| 9 | | |
| 10 | | |
| 11 | | |
| 12 | | |
| 13 | | |
| 14 | | |

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## A Note on Self-Compassion

As you look at your scores, please resist the urge to judge yourself for where you're low. Unmet needs are not evidence of failure. They are simply information — honest, useful information about where your life needs more attention and care.

You are not broken because your needs haven't been met. You are human.

And now that you can name them, you can begin to meet them — one intentional choice at a time.

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*You deserve a life where your needs are met.*
*Not someday. Now.*

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*Created with love by The Healed Human*
*thehealedhuman.net | Guided Healing for the Mind, Body, and Soul*

*Ready to explore this deeper? The Rooted & Rising group coaching program for women uses Reality Therapy and ACT to help you understand your needs and build a life that truly meets them. Learn more at thehealedhuman.net/programs*