autorrealizarse

The reflexive form of autorrealización, self-actualization — reaching one's full potential and fulfilling one's true capabilities. Best known from Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, where self-actualization sits at the top, above physiological, safety, belonging, and esteem needs.

• Sintió que por fin podía autorrealizarse en su nuevo trabajo. — He felt he could finally fulfill his potential in his new job.
• Según Maslow, la persona busca autorrealizarse una vez cubiertas sus necesidades básicas. — According to Maslow, a person seeks self-actualization once their basic needs are met.
• Para ella, viajar es una forma de autorrealizarse. — For her, traveling is a way of fulfilling herself.

Not the same as tener éxito (to be successful) — autorrealizarse is about personal fulfillment and reaching one's own potential, which doesn't necessarily line up with external markers of success like money or status.

• book La jerarquía de necesidades de Maslow — Autorrealización is the standard Spanish translation of "self-actualization," the need at the peak of Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, introduced in his 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation."