Supportive traits are like great personal assistants that help us navigate through life’s challenges more smoothly. From handling day-to-day responsibilities to tackling complex issues, we often and consciously rely on these trusted aides—our supportive traits—knowing that they are capable and reliable at what they do. Ultimately, living in the absence of our supportive traits is akin to losing both our arms; we would struggle tremendously to function without them.

Your habits shape your identity,
and your identity shapes your habits.

James Clear

As our supportive traits come naturally to us, we tend to employ them effortlessly, as if we are writing and drawing with our dominant hand. Therefore, we often take our supportive traits for granted, not realizing how valuable they are to someone of a different archetype. If left unchecked, we might even run the risk of overusing them, preventing other parts of ourselves from flourishing.

Like our dominant traits, our supportive traits are simply facets of our personalities. Whether they are strengths or weaknesses is entirely dependent on the way we utilize them. If we cultivate and develop our supportive traits well, they can become valuable additions to our toolbox of super strengths. However, if we use them in an unhealthy manner, the same traits will ultimately lead to our undoing.

With a desire to gain a deeper understanding of life, Theorists frequently reflect upon their insights. By analyzing their thoughts purposefully, they uncover new epiphanies in the process. Often, a significant amount of time is spent introspecting on these revelations. Theorists do this with one objective—to gain logical clarity of their complex inner world. Through this intense process of deliberation, Theorists get ever closer to realizing their fundamental truths.

However, such deep thinking can often cause Theorists to be detached from reality. Preferring to linger in the domain of their own minds, they might spend so much time contemplating that they become oblivious to the world around them. If they do not practice awareness towards their surroundings, they might be clueless about the consequences of their words and actions in the external world.

If Theorists are caught up in an endless loop of contemplation, they may feel awfully pessimistic about the future. Catastrophic predictions and disastrous outcomes might fill their minds completely, highlighting the worst case scenarios. Imprisoned with these depressive thoughts, Theorists will fall into a state of despair, perceiving only the bleakest of futures. If they do not learn to break free from this cycle, they will find themselves spiraling down an infinite chasm of negativity.

Oftentimes, Theorists will encounter some life-changing revelations. These epiphanies help them explain the seemingly unexplainable, discovering the underlying mechanisms of the world. Coupled with a deeply analytical nature, Theorists often dive into these realizations in an attempt to make sense of it all. With every insight, Theorists steadily progress their path to uncover life's greatest question—the truth behind humanity's purpose and existence.

That said, their realizations can often seem to be plucked out of thin air. This is because Theorists may not always back their perspectives with concrete data, which is why their theories might lack a connection to reality. Without empirical evidence to corroborate their claims, their opinions will be nothing more than baseless assertions. If Theorists do not prioritize facts in the observations, their insights may fail to have any impact on the world, as they will simply be dismissed as fiction.

In truth, certain questions of life have no definite answers. Regardless of what epiphanies they gain, it is virtually impossible for Theorists to arrive at the perfect truth. If they choose to venture down this endless road, it will only intensify their fear of the unknown, giving rise to unnecessary anxiety. The more Theorists overthink these unsolvable mysteries, the greater their feelings of dread become, unknowingly causing them to slide into a state of depression.

Many may look, but few will truly see. Theorists, however, have the capacity to perceive the common trend that emerges subtly from the chaos, allowing them to envision a trajectory that extends far into the future. Equipped with analytical minds, Theorists can then identify the critical factors that may alter the course ahead, using this knowledge to formulate intricate visions that are planned, calculated, and precise.

However, a vision is only as good as its execution. Sadly, this is where many Theorists may fall short. Despite their ability to envision a clear path forward, their grand plans might not always be successful when carried out. This is because the world is ever-changing, and thus, their perfect visions will always be met with unforeseen challenges. So, unless Theorists learn to adapt to the unexpected, they may never be able to turn their vision into reality.

Taken to the extreme, some Theorists may be deluded by their own visions. Believing that they have the one true way forward, they might develop a twisted view of reality as they pick and choose facts to favor their own perception. Worst yet, they might cling tightly to baseless assertions just to defend their visions. At this rate, Theorists are only lying to themselves, living a life based on false narratives.

Thus far, we have explored both the Theorist's dominant and supportive traits. In our jargon, these traits are known as one's heroic traits. Think about it, don't we all look like heroes when we put these traits to use? Not just wannabe heroes, but real ones—those who are truly powerful yet unimpressed with their own abilities.

Superhuman strength and the ability to fly are awesome superpowers that we all wished we had. But Superman doesn't pride himself in any of those abilities. To him, using those powers to save the world is just another day on the job. Similarly, even though we are great at our dominant and supportive traits, we do not find them the least bit amazing. From our perspective, there is nothing special about these mundane things that we do every day.

That said, as heroic as our traits may seem, no hero in the world is perfect. Even the most powerful heroes, such as Naruto, Thor, or Wonder Woman, have their own flaws and weaknesses. However, that does not invalidate them as heroes; it only makes them all the more admirable. The same goes for our own heroic traits. They may not be perfect, but our strive to improve them is what sets us apart.

I am not a hero. I just did what any
decent person would have done.

Miep Gies

When our heroic traits bask in the light, they will inevitably cast shadows—traits that we tend to neglect. Our shadows are foreign to us, as they are the complete opposite of our natural traits. Because we fear what we don't understand, most of us will subconsciously push away or suppress these parts of ourselves. Unfortunately, if we allow the fear of failure to overpower our minds, these suppressed shadows will eventually swallow us whole.

Nevertheless, shadows are not our weaknesses. They are simply parts of ourselves that we are unfamiliar with, and therefore, would rather avoid. But if we harness our shadows, they will eventually become our hidden strengths. It may be daunting at first to explore these dark and unknown parts of ourselves. However, with a curious mind and a compassionate heart, there's nothing to be afraid of. With that said, let us venture deep into the shadows within us.

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Shadows Within [Theorist]