The 7 Essential Human Experiences®
Everything within Making It Human® begins with one central idea:
Our experiences shape who we become.
They influence our identity, beliefs, relationships, decisions and how we navigate the world.
Created by Scarlett Vespa, The 7 Essential Human Experiences® is a framework for understanding seven fundamental experiences that influence how we see ourselves, connect with others and develop throughout our lives.
When these experiences feel diminished or disconnected, we may experience uncertainty, friction or the sense that something in our lives no longer fits.
The framework helps us recognise what may be happening beneath the surface, understand what needs our attention and become more intentional about what we experience next.
Because our experiences don’t simply shape what we know. They shape who we become and what we’re capable of.
The 7 Essential Human Experiences®
01 · Authenticity
The experience of being true to who we are, recognising our values and expressing ourselves without losing our sense of identity.
02 · Belonging
The experience of feeling accepted, included and connected to people and places where we can be ourselves.
03 · Growth
The experience of learning, adapting and discovering what we’re capable of through challenge, change and new possibilities.
04 · Love
The experience of giving and receiving care, affection and connection, including the relationship we have with ourselves.
05 · Meaning
The experience of understanding what matters to us and how we make sense of the events, relationships and stories of our lives.
06 · Purpose
The experience of having direction and feeling that what we do contributes to something that matters.
07 · Safety
The experience of feeling secure enough, physically and emotionally, to trust, connect, explore and grow.
How Our Experiences Shape Us
Our experiences don’t exist in isolation. They influence one another and change throughout our lives.
A change in belonging may affect our sense of safety. A loss of purpose may challenge our identity. An experience of growth may ask us to rethink what authenticity means to us.
Understanding these connections helps us recognise why something may feel out of balance and what experiences might help us move forward.
The aim isn’t to have every experience perfectly fulfilled. It’s to become more aware of what we need and more intentional about how we live.
Experience the Framework for Yourself
The 7 Essential Human Experiences® is more than a way of understanding ourselves. It’s the foundation of the workshops, programs and shared experiences we create at Making It Human®.
Whether you’re navigating personal change or developing the human capabilities of your organisation, the framework offers a different way to understand what shapes us and what helps us grow.