Hi everyone. I’m currently quite triggered and feeling unsafe, so this is going to be a bit of a ramble. For my letter U post in the #AtoZChallenge, I’d like to talk about how each person is different and how to use your own unique qualities for personal growth.
Some people like to categorize or label themselves or others, for example using the MBTI, Enneagram or another personality test. There is nothing wrong with this in itself, but if you take your labels too seriously, you run the risk of not seeing the person you yourself are.
For example, I’m an Enneagram 4. For the longest time, I thought that because I identify most with this type, I also had to identify with similarly-described types in other categories. If you’ve seen my post on the MBTI, you’ve seen that for a long while, I identified as INFJ. I still am not sure whether I’m an INFJ or INTJ and basing my identity solely on a meme, isn’t quite wise. That being said, the reason I forever thought I must be an INFJ, is in part that I identify most with Enneagram type 4. However, the Enneagram is based on core motivations, whereas the MBTI is based on cognitive preferences, so why would an Enneagram 4 need to be a Feeling type?
Personality tests, like I’ve said, can definitely help understand yourself. However, they are not the be all and end all of self-understanding. Neither is any other method of identifying yourself as one particular type or another. Not even deep introspection. Yes, it will lead you to a deeper understanding of yourself, but if then you decide to narrow your identity down to a type or even a rating on the Big Five, you’re not doing yourself justice. You are unique, after all. And yes, so is everybody else.
A Multitude of Musings 
It makes sense that we’re more than a label in someone’s personality test.
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Yes, of course. Thanks for stopping by.
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The tests/assessments feel like building a framework that the person can use to fill in who who they are or used to help another figure out who they are. Getting that sense is just the beginning of an adventure. It’s kind of exciting if you think of it that way.
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Thanks for that awesome take on the issue! You’re so right.
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You’re welcome, Astrid 🙂
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I’m sorry you’re having a tough time. Take care.
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Thanks so very much!
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You know what I am, I am your run of the mill, flawed human doing her best to get by without having a melt down or stressing over stuff I have no control over
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Me too LOL. That being said, I’m pretty sure you do have quite a few positive qualities too.
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Thank You
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I never rely on personality tests, most of them are bullshit!
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I see. I also honestly think that with us having DID, it’s harder to label ourselves in this respect than it would be for singlets.
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I try to avoid too many labels. Just like disease diagnosis they can take you down the wrong path if you dwell on the average facts. No two people are affected with cancer (or anything else) the same way so you can’t just lump them together as this fact or that. The same is true for any mental health diagnosis. We just need to take the basic core of who we are as unique and individual… we are not cookies cut from the same mold. (Sorry, I am pretty tired today after an 11 hour car ride yesterday… I hope that makes sense.)
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Yes, your comment does make sense and I agree wholeheartedly. I do believe we can learn about ourselves by relating to other people with the same “label”, but we’re still all individuals.
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