A few weeks ago, I recorded a podcast with the founder of Sheboygan Area Pay It Forward, a nonprofit organization in Sheboygan that works with the unhoused population.
In that discussion we covered a lot of topics, but we often came back to having your most basic needs met. For our unhoused peers, their most basic needs are having access to a bathroom, a place to sleep, and their next meal, all before they can think about doing their laundry, getting a haircut, interviewing for a job, or making enough money to even get considered for housing. So, first things first and step by step, how do they get their most basic needs met?
Each of us is in a different spot in life, and our most basic needs fluctuate, thankfully a few steps above our unhoused peers. But a good question to ask yourself is what are your current non-negotiables? What is your baseline? One thing we can all be sure of is everything above and beyond those has a tendency to fall apart if we can't keep our foundation solid and strong.
I bet most of us reading this could use a little more water, and a little more rest. But also, what about fueling your body with nourishing food, cherishing time with family or friends you consider family? What about finding time in nature, or making time to move your body?
Once you define and solidify your most basic needs, the non-negotiables that keep you stable and sane, then you can start to try new things, get uncomfortable, and be creative. Don't be afraid to come back and reassess your basic needs at any time, to be sure your foundation is strong enough to withstand the storms and the wild ride ahead.