Understanding Our Personalities: A Journey of Self-Discovery
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Chapter 1: The Quest for Self-Awareness
Have you ever pondered your personality traits? Are you an introvert or extrovert? Do you know what your love language is? What’s your Enneagram type? These questions reflect the many tools available for self-reflection, allowing us to delve into the reasons behind our thoughts, behaviors, and identities.
Human beings possess a unique ability to reflect on their own thoughts—a characteristic that sets us apart from other species. This contemplation of self isn’t a modern phenomenon; it has been a subject of human reflection since consciousness began.
The esteemed French philosopher René Descartes (1596–1650), often referred to as the Father of Modern Philosophy, famously stated, “I think, therefore I am.” Similarly, Plato, recognized as the father of Western philosophy, asserted, “Thinking is the dialogue of the soul with itself.” As these ideas evolved, personality typology emerged, categorizing individuals based on their behavioral traits and defining them by specific types. Enter: Personality Tests.
One of the earliest known assessments, The Four Temperaments, was attributed to the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. He theorized that four main bodily fluids—black bile, yellow bile, blood, and phlegm—determined both health and personality.
Exploring the Four Temperaments
- Sanguine (Blood): Characterized by outgoing, cheerful, and adventurous traits, sanguine individuals thrive in social settings but may struggle with routine.
- Choleric (Yellow Bile): Success-driven and often entrepreneurial, those with a choleric temperament frequently excel in leadership roles.
- Melancholic (Black Bile): Loyal and sensitive, melancholic individuals prioritize family and often experience deep emotions.
- Phlegmatic (Phlegm): Generally intuitive and empathetic, phlegmatic individuals are abstract thinkers who avoid rigid black-and-white perspectives.
The 18th-century phenomenon of phrenology, which involved measuring skull bumps to attribute personality traits, adds another layer to the discussion of how we understand personality. This leads to playful phrases like “he’s an egg-head.”
Current Personality Assessments
Today, we have access to a plethora of personality assessments, including but not limited to:
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
- Big Five Assessment
- Clifton Strengths
- DISC
Have you explored any personality tests? Did they reveal surprising insights about yourself? More importantly, did these revelations enhance your relationships, both personal and professional?
From my perspective, if your journey into self-discovery doesn’t enrich your relationships and foster empathy, it risks becoming merely an ego boost or a means of remaining in a victim mentality.
Chapter 2: The Disney Archetype
In the original song "Why Am I Like This?" by Orla Gartland, the artist explores the complexities of self-identity and the emotions tied to understanding oneself.
In "Why Am I Like This?" by Orla Gartland, the music video delves deeper into the questions surrounding our personalities and the traits that define us.
If you found this exploration enlightening, let’s connect! Feel free to subscribe to my stories for more insights. Thank you for reading!