From the old school Cosmo to the modern day Buzz Feed quiz, people love to do a little naval gazing, no matter how trite. The appeal? We are seeking to be understood by ourselves and by others.
In Susan Cain's Ted Talk on The Power of Introverts she talked about our society moving from known to unknown. "...we hit the 20th century and we entered a new culture that historians call the culture of personality. What happened is we had evolved an agricultural economy to a world of big business. And so suddenly people are moving from small towns to the cities. And instead of working alongside people they've known all their lives, now they are having to prove themselves in a crowd of strangers.” She was talking about how this works better for extroverts where magnetism and charisma became very important in standing out, but to me it also talks about a change in familiarity with your community as well as familiarity with your self in community.
There is a power and relief in talking to someone who really knows you when it comes to needing advice or insight. These are the people who know the full package— our history, who we were and who we became. Most of us are known in segments, like who we were in high school, our profession, or so-and-so's parent.
I think because we are so segmented in different times and spaces we are often analyzing who we are, what we share with others, and how we are unique or special.
The study of personality psychology is dedicated to this fascination. Research in this field looks at why people do what they do, their feelings, and how this all differentiates us from each other. When we take these tests shared on facebook we are often subconsciously looking for this sense of self, belonging and affirmation.
In this day and age, how do we become truly known? Stuck behind our computers it is hard to develop community. We are often living apart from those who knew us in the past, or returning to a familiar place where assumptions are made based on who we were.
That Jennifer Anniston would play us in a movie or our 80s movie boyfriend is Nicolas Cage seems to provide some identity. We laugh when we see the results and agree or disagree. Who hasn't been disappointed with the answer and gone back to change the more ambivalent answers? I don't agree Downton Abbey quiz, I am Mary not a Sybil!
Self exploration happens throughout our life. In high school my girlfriends and I used to play this game called True Colours where you would vote who was most likely to exemplify the presented character traits and then additionally vote how you think others would perceive you in the situation. It was always a laugh and always interesting and sometimes surprising to see how you were actually perceived and how correct you were in calling it.
In my post university, early career years I remember being on a weekend away with a large group of friends. Someone had brought a book on the Myers Briggs Personality Test and everyone got super engaged analyzing themselves, enjoying the time to reflect, disagree or embrace the various types and their descriptions.
We enjoy self reflection and it is important!
Enjoy the quizzes, they are fun. But here are a few more tried, tested and generally accepted personality questionnaires. The critics would warn you to take them with a grain of salt, moods and situations can dictate a lot, but these are popular and recognized.
Myers Briggs Personality Tests: Developed to apply Jung's psychological theories and make them accessible to people. There are 16 personality types.
True Colours: I believe I did this one at a student's council conference back in the day. It has been internationally recognized since the 70s and it is simple and easy to remember, unlike the Myers Briggs, am I an E or an I?
DISC test: My husband found this test very helpful for his work team, this is great for communication, productivity, and teamwork.
You Just Get Me Test: This test was listed by the NY Times as one of the best online Psychology tests.
For the best and most accurate look at yourself, take long introspective walks, meet with friends old and new, spend time with healthy family members, and even hit the therapists couch. As Shakespeare said, “Know thyself and to thine self be true.”
To read more articles about self development, see How to Love the Life You Live Right Now and Overwhelmed? Make Molehills out of Mountains!
In the past few weeks, I have heard the term “conscious uncoupling” several times outside of the most publicized use by Gwyneth Paltrow. The first time was when I participated on a panel about Helicopter Parenting with co-panelist Doug French of Dad 2.0 Summit, who was featured that previous May with his family in the NY Post about the unique and positive relationship he and his ex-wife share for the benefit of their two young sons.
The second time I heard the term “conscious uncoupling” was when I was a radio guest on Real Parenting in Victoria CFAX 1070. We spoke about 23 Important Reasons to Attend Counselling and "conscious uncoupling.” All this discussion has left me wondering—has this term simply made a resurgence or is it part of the accepted social fabric?
The term “conscious uncoupling” was coined by Katherine Woodward Thomas, a psychologist who runs an online course of this name to help people end their marriages peacefully. But the term made famous by Gwyneth Paltrow was met with scorn and critique by critics of Paltrow, who claim the GOOP publisher and actress is “out of touch”. I believe Paltrow's actual point was missed. The fact is that separation and divorce is hard, and when you have kids, even harder, and trying to work together positively is a good thing.
For others, I know the critique is less about Paltrow and more that the term makes divorce sound too easy or rote, like it takes commitment lightly or perhaps that "conscious uncoupling" gives the idea that walking away from marriage is easy to do. It fails to give the reassurance of “'til death do us part,” which people should strive for in this day, in an age when commitments are taken less seriously. Marriage commitments must be taken earnestly, especially when the statistics for successful second, third plus marriages goes down with each additional marriage. If we don't address issues in our unsuccessful marriages when given the opportunity, then these issues follow us to our future relationships. Kat Inokai doesn't agree that the term is lightweight. She wrote that she is in support of the term, saying that for her the term “divorce” didn't cover the gravity of the tears and struggles that ended her marriage.
Amidst the War of the Roses and in the language of divorce, does any other name smell as sweet?
Jeni Marinucci, YMC writer and writer of Divorce Stories on iVillage, says that although the term was initially met with rage and laughter, she thinks people came to accept and adopt the intent behind the idea, because using a softer term makes sense. Brandie Wiekle, parenting editor, writer, and spokesperson, says that when she first heard the term, it sounded like typical Paltrow trying to suggest she was “doing it better” and re-branding divorce in a way that suited her; however, at the same time she pegged her own family situation as one that lived a "conscious uncoupling" before it was cool, embracing a more collaborative, new family after divorce. It even inspired her website of the same name, which highlights diversity in families. French states that he never cared for the term, “not just because Gwyneth can seem out of touch,” but because “it is not a new thing, rather a neologism that describes what a lot of us have been doing for years.”
If conscious uncoupling means not having a scary, litigious divorce, then my advice is to use it or any other term that suits you. As a marriage therapist, I am all for working on the marriage—and working hard. I fight for marriages every day in my practice, but, of course, not all can or should be saved. In my former life I did custody and access assessments for the court advocating for the best interests of the child, and high levels of conflict are never in a child's best interest. I have seen painful battles, both professionally and personally, and tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on the divorce with little benefit to either side. How much better would both sides be if they could proceed in the least damaging way? Could a re-frame of the process, with the assistance of a new term, help people proceed in a more proactive, child-focused way?
As Shakespeare said, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” But I agree with Paltrow and many others who would say that the word "divorce" paints too wide a brush on something experienced differently by all who've experienced it.
Want to read more posts about strengthening relationships? See How Not To Have An Affair, Part One and Two, and Crazy Stupid Arguments: How to Break Bad Cycles.
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In a small bowl, add black beans, cumin, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, lime juice, sea salt, and cilantro. This can also be made the night before for more emulsified flavours. Heat remaining olive oil in the pan and cook the eggs sunny side up, or over easy. This recipe benefits from some runny yolk. I always put a splash of water in the frying pan and cover with a lid. Plate Up: add eggs, beans, sliced avocado, a handful of tortilla chips, and a scoop of salsa.For more about relationship and life tips, see Family Flight Tips on the Fly, Great Sleep Tips When You Are Too Tired to Sleep, and Are Anxious Thoughts Ruining Your Day?
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