What Did We Learn?

By Robin Weaver

Reflecting on 2020, I found myself reexamining Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Given the world’s current problems, old Maslow may be the last thing on your mind. But, isn’t the year we just “endured” a testament to the validity of the theory?

As most of you know, Maslow developed a theory of motivation which states that five categories of need dictate a person's behavior.  According to his findings, higher ideals—ego & self-fulfillment—can only be fully addressed once basic human survival is assured.  Maslow’s categories of needs are:

1.    Prior to COVID, most people in the Western World had climbed high on the hierarchy, past love and belonging, and were searching for Esteem and/or Self-Actualization.  We didn’t have to worry about food or water (physiological); safety (other than the ozone layer, which most people ignored) was pretty much taken for granted by most Americans.

Thanks to Match.Com and Doctor Phil, we’d also conquered romance. And, if we didn’t find our significant other online or at the gym, we bought a dog.  The increasing popularity of self-help books signaled that the masses were in hot pursuit of being our “best self.”

Then, the corona virus showed it’ ugly crown. And, BOOM!

Suddenly everyone (and I do mean everyone) was back at level two.  We weren’t safe. Forget about being a better person, we needed toilet paper to survive. And tons of it.   Forget about belonging (level 3); we started fighting over wearing masks. Those of us who diligently cover our face thought we were demonstrating concern for our fellow humans, but were we?  Did we even try to understand those who were defiant about covering the face?  Did we consider that a world filled with the unknown drives the need to feel in control? Even if that control mean thwarting good sense and not wearing the mask? And be honest, didn’t you secretly worry that a mask isn’t enough?

Once we can again “belong” without Zoom or Skype, perhaps we can self-actualize about what we learned during the year of COVID.  In fiction, conflict strengthens the story and gives the main character an opportunity for growth. Maybe I’m too low on Maslow’s hierarchy to figure out how to improve from this experience, because I’m not finding much good from 2020.  The COVID conflict has strengthened my resolve to appreciate all that I’ve taken for granted in the past.

Just when there’s a vaccine on the horizon, I find something else to worry about.  Something I probably wouldn’t have noticed if I could have met friends for coffee or attended writers’ conferences. I’m now worried about The birds.  I’ve just read that the avian population has dwindled by 29% in the last 50 years. 

Egads! Time for a romance novel.

Happy 2021 everyone. May your new year have you climbing to the top of Maslow’s hierarchy.