The chill air and falling leaves that emerge from the depths of autumn bring forth a resurgence of gratitude for many. November is considered the month for gratitude, a time to ponder all that we are thankful for—a significant month to me, as it turns out, in more ways than one. One year ago, I succumbed to the worst state of my life—I came face-to-face with death. I felt terrified, lost, and hopeless. Many factors helped me with recovery, especially support from family, doctors, and loved ones, but it was growing up with an awareness of personality type that provided me with a tool to help me deal with and understand the mental toll I experienced.

In November 2022, I was hospitalized after developing symptoms that were uncontrollable. Like clockwork, I experienced a cycle of chills, fevers, and sweats, as well as unexplainable growing masses. I was misdiagnosed for six months, told that I would be fine, and the masses would resolve themselves in time; so, I downplayed these symptoms and used over-the-counter medications, as suggested by my doctor, to alleviate the pain and discomfort. As weeks passed, the medicine was no longer working, and I was only getting worse. I could no longer control the overwhelming symptoms. After bloodwork and a CT scan, a specialist sent me straight to the ER. While hospitalized, I was hooked up to a heart monitor because I was at risk of a heart attack. My heart rate was consistently over 100 beats per minute, my blood pressure continued to drop to dangerously low levels, and my temperature would fluctuate between being so low it was unregistrable to 103 degrees. Due to extended use of over-the-counter medication and whatever was going on in my body, my liver was beginning to fail. My blood results were all over the place. I was deeply afraid. To get an accurate diagnosis, I needed biopsy surgery—my first surgery ever—to discover what the masses were.

After struggling for almost two weeks in the hospital while being poked and prodded by multiple medical specialists, I was diagnosed with a very rare form of lymphoma known as subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma. Not only was I in bad shape physically, but my mental health was impacted too. I was only twenty years old and couldn’t believe this was actually happening to me! Cancer?! I had a six-month treatment plan for my physical symptoms, but there wasn’t a mental health treatment plan. I reached out to several therapists but they either didn’t take my insurance or new patients, and to be honest, I was so focused on my physical health that I just didn’t have the energy to keep up the pursuit. Facing death at such a young age felt insurmountable. How would I get through this?! 

While undergoing cancer treatment, my mental health was put on pause. I had to ignore it to focus solely on surviving, putting all my energy into getting physically better. It was a long, challenging, six months with doctor appointments, side effects from the medications, and multiple hospital visits, all while continuing my university studies. In May of this year, I received the wonderful news that I was in remission. The medication worked! Although being told there is no cure and that my cancer will likely come back one day weighs heavy on my mind at times, in that moment, all I could think of was joy, celebration, and a sense of accomplishment—that I beat this thing! In the wake of this profound rebirth, rising from the ashes, I thought I would be ready to live life and rejoice. Instead, all those months of denying my mental health led to a sudden psychological awakening and a deep, deep sadness. I desperately needed to develop a treatment plan for my mental health. This is where my knowledge of personality type helped me. 

For most of my life, I knew I felt the most comfortable with ESFJ (Extrovert, Sensing, Feeling, Judging) preferences. But when I reflected upon the weeks before I was diagnosed, I realized that I was too comfortable with my preferences. I wanted harmony so badly (Feeling preference) that I withheld how much I was suffering from my family because I didn’t want to disturb my sister’s wedding and our family reunion, which were happening around the same time. I put a smile on my face and just kept going, pretending I was okay, to the detriment of my own self. I was so in the moment (Sensing preference) that I just focused on what could help me feel better now, so I used the over-the-counter medication as a bandage rather than a treatment for all my symptoms. Once I was told I had cancer, the world stood still, and my perspective shifted. I was too comfortable with meeting the needs of everyone else (Sensing and Feeling preferences); I overused what was so natural for me, and in the end, I was the one suffering. I needed to lean on my stretches (Intuition and Thinking preferences) and view life from a different perspective. 

In the months following my remission, I’ve spent a significant amount of time learning to understand my stretches and utilize them more. I leaned into my Thinking preference and started to make decisions based on what I needed in the moment rather than focusing only on what others needed from me. This has helped me to take care of myself and be more attentive to my physical and mental health. Instead of only staying in the moment and not looking toward the future, I’ve started using my Intuition preference to plan my journey to graduate school and my future career. 

I used to feel uncomfortable when I focused on myself and when I looked toward the future. But since my perspective has shifted, I’ve felt more comfortable being uncomfortable. This new way of being has helped my mental health tremendously, which in turn has helped my physical health. New insights have helped me understand and appreciate the journey I have been on this past year. Every day I value my strengths for helping people, but now I consciously lean into my stretches to help keep me in balance, even though it can be hard to do. 

I’ll be eternally grateful to everyone who supported me through my healing journey as well as for my understanding of Type, which contributed to alleviating my mental health struggles. I’m thankful to be alive! I hope that in this gratitude-filled month of November, you take the time to recall a moment in your life where Type has benefited you and how you can express your gratitude not only to others but to yourself, too. What are you thankful for?

Make every day a day of thanksgiving!

In this first article, of the series "From the Kids", Yvonne Nelson-Reid is dipping into her long history to share stories about the impact of type, on the kids who take the MMTIC assessment, from the perspective of the kids themselves.

READ MORE >>

People tend to make inaccurate assumptions about themselves when faced with a problem to solve that requires them to go outside of their natural personality type. We can all use our opposite preferences when a situation requires it, however, it might feel awkward or uncomfortable, and we may be less effective in how we use them, leading to stress and a sense of personal failure. Children may experience this at a higher rate.

In this second article of "From the Kids" series, Yvonne Nelson-Reid chronicles a moment in her daughter's journey of understanding personality type differences and the compromises needed to succeed in school.

READ MORE >>

Starting with an understanding of communication styles can make a difference in all our relationships.

In this third article of "From the Kids" Series, Yvonne Nelson-Reid discusses how understanding type differences can help teenagers navigate the complications of high school dating. Her teenage daughter describes the positive impact that learning about, and appreciating, communication style differences based on personality type, had on her own relationship.

READ MORE >>

We are excited to add a new article to our From the Kids series, because this time it is written by a kid! Please welcome Gracyn Nelson-Reid, a junior in university, who grew up in a home where personality type differences were understood and appreciated. She shares the value of family traditions during holidays and special events, like Halloween, as it relates to her personality type.

READ MORE >>

Gracyn Nelson-Reid, writing an article for the From the Kids series, tells us how her preference for ESFJ and her boyfriend's preference for INTP has caused numerous disagreements between them due to their complete opposite personality types. It hasn't been easy for them but understanding their personality type differences has provided a framework for better, more respectful communication.

READ MORE >>

May the fourth, popularly known as Stars Wars Day, is a day to think about the force within you. Gracyn Nelson-Reid celebrates this day with an article about the force (type awareness) within all of us that can be accessed every day. Everyone has the capability to access the “type” force and make the world a more understanding place. It starts with becoming aware of your personality type and what strengths and stretches you have.

READ MORE >>