How to create change

The Five Domains of Wellbeing and Tradeoffs

Too often, the mental models underlying systems ultimately undermine people’s access to wellbeing. Wellbeing is the set of needs and experiences universally required in combination and balance to weather challenges and have health and hope. There are Five Domains of Wellbeing that we are all driven to seek: connectedness, stability, safety, mattering and relevant resources. To achieve balance among these domains, we have to make tradeoffs.

A circular diagram illustrating five interconnected components of wellbeing inside a star shape: Connectedness (light blue), Stability (green), Safety (red), Mattering (dark blue), and Relevant Resources (orange). The center of the star reads 'Wellbeing' in bold black text. A surrounding multicolor ring is labeled 'Tradeoffs,' indicating the need to balance these elements.

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