The Five Flames Model
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An Inventory For a Holistic Approach to Life Satisfaction
Five flames. Fifteen Sparks. One well-lived life.
Most life models tell you what balance should look like. Maximize everything, hit every category equally, chase someone else’s version of a well-lived life. But your life isn’t a radar graph. It’s uniquely yours. The Five Flames Model doesn’t prescribe what matters. It helps you see what does matter to you.
Does your life actually aligns with that definition? No judgment. No comparison. Just honest clarity: here’s what fuels your contentment, here’s where you’re thriving around it, and here’s where you’ve drifted. That clarity changes everything.
Health - the Flame of vitality
Physical
From the food we eat and the sleep we use to recharge to our fitness routines and efforts to ward off illness, it includes those parts of our lives that ground our body to the world.
Mental
This aspect of health is not just about keeping stress at bay; it’s also about nurturing our mental agility and building resilience against life’s inevitable ups and downs.
Emotional
Emotional health is the art of navigating our feelings and fostering empathy towards ourselves and others. It’s about achieving a level of self-awareness that allows for emotional regulation.
Wealth - the flame of resources
earning
The various avenues for income generation. Whether it’s through salaries, business ventures, freelance gigs, or savvy investments, it’s all about understanding and enhancing the inflow of financial resources.
spending
The balance between needs and desires—the essentials that sustain us and the pleasures that enrich our lives. It’s a reflection on the tangible impact of our financial choices on our day-to-day existence and overall happiness.
saving
The essence of financial foresight and security. It questions the state of our savings in relation to our aspirations—highlighting whether we’re closer to the red or the black on our financial ledger and what that means for our future goals.
Relationships - The flame of connection
personal
The crux of our most intimate bonds—be it with family, friends, or romantic partners. This is about the depth and quality of these relationships.
Professional
This captures the essence of our dealings in the workplace and beyond, with colleagues, clients, or business collaborators.
Community
Focused on our engagement and sense of belonging within both local and wider communities, this aspect examines our participation in groups unified by common interests, values, or backgrounds.
Beliefs - the flame of perspective
Core Values
The bedrock of our personal ethos, this spark covers the essential beliefs steering our actions and decisions. Faith and religion are included here.
Worldview
A broader lens through which we view our place within the global tapestry, this segment delves into our political, social, and cultural beliefs.
Mindset
The prism through which we view ourselves, others, and the situations we encounter. It’s a compilation of our attitudes that molds our approach to life’s challenges and opportunities.
Favorites - the flame of passion
Hobbies & Interests
The pursuits that feed our souls: engaging in creative arts, diving into books, pushing physical limits in sports, etc. These activities are chosen for the sheer joy they bring and the personal growth they foster.
Leisure & Recreation
From the tranquility of meditation and the adventure of travel to the simple pleasure of a leisurely stroll or the solitude of quiet time, it’s all about finding peace in moments of rest.
Causes & Charity
Whether it’s volunteering, mentoring, community service, or any act of kindness, it’s about making a difference and finding fulfillment in the happiness and welfare of others.