The 7 Pillars of the Human Experience

To me, balance isn’t about everything being perfectly equal or even. Life doesn’t work that way—it’s always moving, always changing. Balance is about finding a rhythm between the different aspects of your life. And when that rhythm gets thrown off, you don’t stop; you pick back up on the next beat. (ha dance joke, did you catch it?:))

The key to maintaining balance is adaptability. It’s about shifting with the changes life throws your way while still holding onto yourself in all the different areas that matter. In order to make life a little easier to tackle, I’ve divided it into what I call the 7 Pillars of the Human Experience. You’ll hear (and read) me refer to them as simply the 7 Pillars. They serve as the foundation for how I navigate life.

What Are the 7 Pillars of the Human Experience?

These pillars—Spirit, Mission, Assets, Expression, Elevation, Kinship, and Presence—are the building blocks of a well-rounded life. Let me break them down:

Spirit

This pillar is all about faith and staying connected to a higher purpose. Whatever it is, needs to be bigger than myself. For me, this means prioritizing my relationship with God. I pray daily, and while I’m not perfect with reading my Bible, I aim to read at least a chapter everyday. Staying connected to my faith grounds me because I know what God has brought me through. His presence in my life reminds me to give thanks and stay focused on my purpose.

Mission

Mission is your “why.” It’s your sense of purpose—the thing that drives you forward. I realized the importance of this during my senior year of college when I was struggling academically and feeling lost. Through prayer and reflection, I found clarity in my purpose, and it gave my life direction. Having a mission gives you a reason to push through life’s challenges because you know it’s all leading to something greater.

Assets

This pillar focuses on financial health. It’s about identifying what you have and what you need to achieve the life you want. For me, that means working toward multiple streams of income—passive, passion-based, and mission-driven. Managing finances intentionally and aligning them with your values brings you one step closer to the lifestyle you desire.

Expression

Expression is how you bring your authentic self to the world. For me, it’s through creativity—whether I’m writing, painting, or designing. This pillar is about dreaming big and using your imagination to create the life you envision. Creativity fuels my joy and purpose by helping me visualize and then manifest my goals. It’s essentially focusing on bringing what I create in my imagination into the physical realm.

Elevation

Elevation is all about personal growth. This pillar focuses on mental, emotional, and spiritual development. I nurture this by journaling, setting goals, and staying committed to learning. Growth isn’t a destination—it’s a continuous process that transforms how you see yourself and the world.

Kinship

Relationships are at the heart of this pillar. It’s about the bonds you create and nurture with family, friends, and others in your life. I make an effort to talk to my parents daily and spend quality time with them regularly. For all my relationships, I pour into them as needed, understanding that intentional connection is key to keeping these bonds strong.

Presence

This pillar is about physical health and wellness—how you care for and maintain your body. It includes everything from eating well to keeping your space organized. For me, it’s about incorporating movement into my daily life, even if it’s just a short workout, and being flexible with my routines to make sure I stay consistent.

Challenges in Balancing the Pillars

Staying consistent has been my biggest challenge. I used to cram too much into my days without a clear plan, which led to burnout. Reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People helped me understand the importance of intentional time management. By mapping out my week and allowing for flexibility, I’ve been able to maintain momentum without overwhelming myself.

Tools and Systems That Keep Me Grounded

Tools like reading, prayer and the Weekly Tracking template help me stay organized. I also journal regularly, which allows me to reflect, gain clarity, and stay aligned with my priorities. Keeping my routines fluid and allowing room for adjustments has been a game-changer.

Advice for Managing It All

There’s no one “right” way to do life. You’re going to stumble—it’s part of being human. But as long as you’re willing to keep going, to focus on what you can control and take small steps forward, you’ll be fine. Life is about progress, not perfection.

How to Identify and Prioritize Pillars Most Important to You

Start by reflecting on what matters most to you. Ask yourself:

• What areas of my life feel the most meaningful?

• Where do I need to put more effort?

• What gives me a sense of purpose, joy, or stability?

Once you identify the pillars you want to focus on, write them down and create small, actionable goals for each one. The goal isn’t to tackle everything at once but to start building habits that align with your priorities.

Final Thoughts

Balancing the 7 pillars isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. When you’re intentional about nurturing each area, you create a life that feels meaningful and aligned with your values. It’s not about having it all together—it’s about showing up for yourself in the ways that matter most.