I enjoy reading books on self-realization and personal development. Although many of these books are entertaining, they often lack practical advice. However, one book stands out from the rest and has truly changed my life. I was not searching for another “personality type” book, as most of them assign you to a certain color based on your dominant behavior, which can change over time.
Carol Tuttle’s book “It’s Just My Nature” examines patterns and movement, not behavior. I came across it while looking for a personal and simplified dressing style for which the author is known.
She discovered that we all have one dominant movement in our physical expression that correlates with the four core elements: air, water, fire, and earth.
This article is an introduction to the 4 Types and the benefits of knowing them as they relate to neurodivergence.
The four Types
When first reading about the four energy Types, you might be very skeptical that the movement and patterns are so consistent in nature as well as in human beings. That was actually what fascinated me the most. My nature is carved into my facial features and is shown in my natural movement. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Type 1 Air. It is an upward, light, random movement. In nature, a bubbling brook, aspen trees with circular leaves that are brilliant bright gold in autumn, bunnies, hummingbirds, butterflies, and colorful flowers remind us of that movement.
You might already be thinking of someone who walks with a bounce and talks with hands. If you look at them carefully, you will see round or heart-shaped faces, apple cheeks, a button nose, and sparkling eyes. When they smile, the entire face smiles.
These people have a natural gift of ideas; they are fun-loving and optimistic.
Type 2 Water. It’s a flowing, relaxed, subtle movement. A flowing river, weeping willow trees, doves, elephants, and pastel flowers remind us of that movement in nature.
Type 2 people are easygoing, with a smooth, graceful walk and a softened voice. They have blended and softened features, an oval face, blended cheeks, and almond-shaped eyes.
These people have a natural gift for details: gentle, tender, and sensitive.
Type 3 Fire. It is an active, reactive, push-forward, swift movement. In nature waterfall, maple trees with their angeled leaves, peacocks, and tigers will remind us of that movement.
These people often walk with heavy feet and have a more boisterous voice. They have an angular face shape, eyes set on a V, and chiseled, textured features.
These people have a natural gift for action, are determined, and seek results. They are persistent, passionate, and driven.
Type 4 Earth. It’s a constant, reflecting, straightforward movement. In nature, a mirroring mountain lake, fir trees, swans, black panthers, red roses, and white orchids reflect that movement.
Type 4 people walk with poise and upright posture and speak with exact pronunciation. They are the ones who see spelling mistakes right away. That exactness is also expressed in their refined and sculpted, oval or rectangular facial features, with eyes set on a straight line.
These people have a natural gift of reflecting with efficient, analytical thoughts.
We all express all four types to some degree, but we will lead with one as our primary energy.
What energy type are you?
Did you immediately see yourself or a loved one in the descriptions? It took us a bit longer to figure out what type we were.
Looking into the description, my husband knew right away that I was a Type 2. However, I always denied it and tried to be something else. My love for a gentle, tender, and sensitive nature made me critical of myself. I longed to be just that but judged it as being not good enough. I would often push myself way too hard, and then be exhausted and unhappy. What a relief when I finally accepted that I made a pretty bad waterfall, but flowing like a river, I can get tons done.
My husband is a Type 3 and loves busying himself with projects around the homestead. Being a Type 3 and 2 couple, we have very little fun, lowering Type 1 and perfecting Type 4 in our relationship. Before, we would blame ourselves for being so unsocial and never doing anything perfectly. But really, have you ever seen a waterfall falling into a perfectly calm lake?
By determining our energy type, we can identify our natural strengths and talents and use them instead of concentrating on what we might not be as good at.
If we caught your interest, take some time to find out what type you might be.
Neurodiversity and our nature
In my experience, neurodivergent people show their personality sometimes even more pronounced. A type one person on the spectrum might not be able to stop talking and want to play fun games no matter what age. To know them, you can adjust their day with more fun activities.
A type 2 person might be more prone to feeling overwhelmed. As a neurotypical type 2, I prefer to be home with a book to a loud party, even more so for people who are struggling with mental health. Be gentle with your type 2s.
Type 3, on the other hand, needs projects. Being home alone can be so boring for them, so give them a challenge, something to do. My Type 3 husband loves building things, and he does it in his own unique way.
From an early stage with our type 4 son, we realized that having a routine, designated space for toys, and the freedom to play alone significantly improved his functioning.
Understanding someone’s personality type can be incredibly helpful in providing them with the best possible care, even if they are unable to express their needs. The book “It’s Just My Nature” empowers you to identify personality types through observation of facial features and movements. Also, as caregivers, we can better identify what would bring us joy or overwhelm.
If we allow ourselves to be who we are and to use our natural gifts, there is so much variety, comfort, accomplishment, and perfection. There is no need to be someone you are not. Be who you are; that’s the best you can be anyway.
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