I was going through old files and found my 2010 Myers-Briggs test results from college. Back then, I saw it as a personality test and as a crystal ball, a glimpse into who I might become and how I might navigate the world.

For anyone who hasn’t encountered it, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality assessment that helps you understand your natural preferences in how you think, feel, and interact with the world. It sorts people into 16 personality types based on four pairs of traits:

Your combination of these traits forms a four-letter type — like mine: ENFP. Some context:

Curious, I asked an AI to guess my type based on what it knows about me today. Clone coming soon, smh, because…

…surprise, surprise. It got it right: ENFP. Somehow, looking at the present version of me, it recognized the parts that have remained consistent for over 15 years: the dreamer, the idea-oriented side, the part of me that still approaches possibilities with energy and curiosity.

Reading that old report felt like unveiling a dusty old crystal ball. Some parts still fit perfectly. Others show how life has added structure, responsibilities, and perspective. But the core of me, that ENFP way of engaging with the world, is still here, maybe just a little shaped by experience.

One thing I reminded myself: the Myers-Briggs test was created in the U.S. in the mid-1900s, reflecting a Western, white cultural lens. It was originally tested on mostly white Americans, so a lot of its descriptions reflect patterns from that group, not a broad mix of racial or cultural perspectives. Personality traits don’t show up the same way in every culture, and sometimes the way the test describes things doesn’t fully capture the nuance of Black experiences (or other people of color perspectives).

Nonetheless, I still find it useful as a reflection tool, while noting that it’s one lens, not the whole picture.

I’m curious: have you ever noticed traits in yourself that remain consistent over the years? Or been surprised by how some parts of you have stayed the same, even as everything else changes?

Last time I shared that I launched a YouTube channel. I’m planning to launch with two videos (because, you know, the algorithm), and links are coming soon. In the meantime, here’s what I’ve been working on since then:

Being laid off with nothing but time, I have never dreamed bigger. This journey has shaken my confidence; only three interviews in five months can make a girl feel like caca.

Having something else to focus on (besides applying for jobs) feels so empowering. I’ve always wanted to start a YouTube channel, but never felt 100% confident that I had something valuable to say. What I’ve realized, especially while thinking intentionally about each video, from thumbnail text to title to hook to script…there is value there. Believing that is half the battle. In a world where it seems like we’re easily disposable and replaceable (and in some cases, we are 😳), we must remember that there’s only one of us.

Anyway, that’s become one of my major anchors going forward. I can’t wait to tie all of these creative projects together and share more soon!

In the meantime, subscribe here 😄

These days, I’m obsessed with and inspired by people who make things happen from simple ideas and follow their dreams. It’s proof that what we want to do really is possible. Exhibit A: Dad, How Do I?

Wishing you a weekend that leaves you refreshed, inspired, and maybe even a little mischievous 🙂 - Tahara