Over the last few years, I’ve delved into a variety of topics that have captivated my curiosity.
Whenever I stumble upon something intriguing, I become determined to learn everything about it.
Through my explorations, I’ve come across concepts like astrology, human design, David Kibbe’s style framework, color analysis, and Ikigai, all of which have enriched my understanding of myself and my personal tastes.
I’ve experienced moments of realization, like understanding how my astrological placements relate to my passion for writing, or recognizing that oversized trendy clothing isn’t flattering on me because I identify as a Soft Classic in Kibbe’s style system.
These frameworks and labels can be beneficial as they affirm our self-knowledge. They help us articulate complex ideas and set boundaries that alleviate decision-making overwhelm.
However, a challenge arises.
What begins as fun curiosity often transforms into an overwhelming desire to get everything perfectly aligned. It’s easy for an interest to morph into an obsession (and my Reddit browsing reassures me I’m not alone in this).
So, are these systems genuinely useful if they lead us to obsess over making the ‘best’ or ‘most correct’ choices?
Today, I want to share what I’ve gleaned from these frameworks, how they help us find meaning, and why I believe we feel compelled to categorize ourselves.
Understanding Labels and Frameworks
Let’s begin by defining the various frameworks and labels that I’m discussing.
Be warned: you might find yourself exploring your own set of interests afterwards.
Kibbe Body Types
Developed in the 1980s, David Kibbe’s style system categorizes individuals into 13 distinct image identities. These categories differ from common body type descriptors (like apple or pear) by focusing instead on how proportionate a person appears, their angularity versus roundedness, and overall height.
The aim is to dress in styles that enhance your natural features. If you’ve struggled to make certain trends work, your Kibbe body type might provide insight.
While you can find online quizzes to help determine your type, only David Kibbe can categorize individuals accurately. This exclusivity often pushes people to self-identify, leading to the creation of subreddits for assistance.
Initially, it’s entertaining to explore, but it can quickly become daunting when you find it difficult to fit into a single category or feel constrained by the guidelines.
Color Analysis
Color analysis, or identifying your “best colors,” is another concept from the 1980s that has regained popularity. Are you classified as a winter, summer, spring, or autumn? Do you lean towards warm or cool tones, bright or muted shades, light or deep colors?
The belief is that understanding your color palette can enhance your overall appearance, allowing you to wear less makeup since the colors will enhance your look (the gendered focus on enhancing female beauty is a discussion for another day).
However, some individuals fit easily into these seasonal categories, while others find it more challenging. I must confess that I’ve sought out five different virtual color analysts, each giving me different seasonal categorizations.
I hear you saying, “Why not just wear the colors you love?” Unfortunately, my perfectionist tendencies prevent me from doing that since learning about color analysis makes me want a cohesive wardrobe.
Astrology
Astrology is a system that helps us navigate self-understanding and interpersonal relationships through the celestial movements. It seems that, depending on the generation or social circles, astrology carries less stigma now compared to the past.
Astrology can clarify your identity and shed light on your life stages. While you may know you’re a Leo, do you understand the influence of the moon’s position at your birth and its effect on your emotional needs? Or the current position of Mars and what that means for your motivation?
There’s a saying: “Millionaires don’t have astrologers; billionaires do,” hinting at the insights astrology can provide if wielded wisely. Misusing it, however, can lead to harmful stereotypes and oversimplifications.
Human Design
An additional framework linked to astrology is Human Design, which offers guidance on how to navigate life more effortlessly.
Your type can inform you about the best ways to utilize your energy—whether as an initiator of new ideas (Manifestors), a diligent worker (Generators), following numerous interests (Manifesting Generators), offering guidance (Projectors), or observing and reflecting on what you learn (Reflectors).
This perspective revealed to me that society often pressures everyone to be initiators and hard workers, although many people aren’t wired to function that way, which may contribute to the issues of burnout and chronic fatigue we see today.
The Need for Identification
You might have explored similar paths that I have, or maybe these frameworks haven’t caught your attention at all.
Regardless, it’s in our nature to categorize people, even if we claim otherwise.
One question I often ponder is: What am I genuinely trying to learn about myself through these frameworks?
For me, the attraction lies in a set of guidelines that could simplify my life.
If I recognize my body type within the Kibbe system and identify as a True Autumn in terms of color season, it could help me spend less on clothes that don’t flatter me.
If I discover that I’m an INFJ on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, it may help me embrace my need for solitude.
This might suggest that I’m a perfectionist seeking a list of rules to adhere to, thinking it will ease my journey.
Yet, is looking for an external system as an internal compass truly effective?
In an issue of Oliver Burkeman’s newsletter titled ‘Systems vs. Life’, he notes:
Many of us long to find a framework, set of guidelines, or philosophy that could essentially govern our lives, allowing us to avoid the chaos and discomfort of actually being present in each moment.
If I introspect deeply, I realize that I seek these systems to bolster my self-worth when I feel inadequate.
Following rules precisely might feel like it will shield me from the discomfort that makes me self-conscious.
However, life does not function that way.
Relying heavily on external guidelines can overshadow our personal tastes in the quest for what is right or ideal.
The pursuit of self-awareness shouldn’t morph into a chase for perfection.
Are These Frameworks Useless?
If we can’t depend on these categories and systems to determine our identity, does that imply they are entirely useless?
I don’t believe so. They can still assist us in interpreting the world and uncovering meaning in complex ways.
Yearning for meaning in life is completely natural since we aim to make the most of our time and effort. Yet, striving for a flawless system and attempting to adhere strictly to it may ultimately lead to wasted time and energy.
A big part of life’s enjoyment comes from discovering what’s in store for us when we stop pushing, stop searching for solutions, and refrain from striving for perfection. Simply allow yourself to ‘be’ – you will always be you regardless.
Ultimately, looking to any system outside of your own innate wisdom will drive you away from what you genuinely want and need.
Embrace Your Complexity
Recognizing your character traits or identifying your ideal colors won’t inherently transform your life or grant you the confidence you desire.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with utilizing these systems and labels; just approach them with curiosity instead of a quest for perfection. If they no longer bring you joy, it might be the right moment to let them go.
If you earnestly wish to cultivate self-confidence, embrace the idea that you can embody multiple identities simultaneously. Be comfortable with being indefinable. Instead, develop your own life principles.
I share this reminder with both you and myself. It’s a message I need to internalize to avoid becoming overly fixated on minor details.