Know Thyself, According to a Buzzfeed Quiz
How silly quizzes reflect a serious craving for identity
According the the internet, I’m a Gemini sun, Leo moon, and Gemini rising; an ENFJ; a Hufflepuff; and either an Enneagram 2 or 9 (I haven’t really figured that out quite yet). At this rate, I think I have taken every self-assessment and quiz possible, probably most Buzzfeed quizzes, and even more self-published quizzes to figure out…well everything. Anybody else feel like they are constantly looking for something else to explain who (or what) they are?
For as long as I can remember (probably around the same time I could take home a teen magazine), I’ve been taking quizzes. From figuring out which Jonas brother is my soulmate, to finding out what my dream job would be, and even what kind of friend I am in the group, I have been sorting out who it is I actually am (sort of). Online, in magazines, and in personal development books there is always a quiz on a variety of topics to identify who we “truly” are. And for what? A chance to define ourselves?
I honestly didn’t even realize that I had been taking quizzes for that long until I started thinking about it. At first it’s fun and silly and something you can take to every conversation with our friends. But eventually, I think, the quizzes and assessments can become a limitation we place on ourselves. Especially when we use those definitions to make decisions, even if those decisions do not align with what we truly want. So then why take these quizzes if they could potentially be harmful? In an article from the University of Michigan’s Psychology Department titled “Why Do You Love Personality Quizzes? Experts Break It Down,” researchers note that the appeal of quizzes stems from our need for attention and affirmation because, “It feels like someone is interested in our lives” (University of Michigan, 2014). It makes us feel seen when we get that result and it kinda/sort-of/actually aligns with how we see ourselves. And honestly, I get it.
I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of quizzes looking for answers and guidance more than I’d like to admit. Heck I’ve used quizzes to help me figure out my love languages for a future relationship (quality time is #1, fyi), my Ayurvedic type to determine my diet (which worked until it didn’t), and even turned to a self assessment to tell me what kind of work I should be doing (which honestly was a no brainer). Each time, the results made me feel like what I was going through was fixable if I just only followed the guidance based off of the results. However, in an article from Excelsior University, the author points out that while personality tests can offer meaningful insight, many of the ones we encounter online are often misused or misunderstood. The article warns that these tools are frequently “used in ways that are not only inappropriate but also risky [for ourselves and others]” (Excelsior.edu, 2021). No wonder we end up with sticky feelings after trying to implement the advice given to us from our quiz results. (Please tell me I’m not the only one?)
So should we not be taking these quizzes at all? That's not what I’m suggesting at all because I love those little quizzes as much as the next girl. The folks at Psico-Smart write that while online quizzes can bring some self awareness, they really shouldn’t replace true self reflection or even professional help. The article also warns that quizzes can distort how we see ourselves, especially when we mistake fast results for deep truth (Psico-Smart, 2024). But when these quizzes are used for good, they can help us go deeper, act like our highest self (if the results reflect this), and bring a laugh to our conversations.
Just like with anything in life these days, everything is best in moderation.
Let’s be real, we know this but it’s hard to not use the results of the quiz or assessment to make sweeping conclusions about who or what we are (I’m just as guilty of this as you are). Yet, I am reminded by Gabriella Rosie’s Cosmic Brilliance oracle deck, ”I will never be understood by everybody and that is entirely ok”. So maybe our goal shouldn’t be to find a new label to define ourselves with, but to use the results as a way to reflect on who we are and who we want to become and then decide if we actually want to take the results into consideration for ourselves. It’s way more fun that way. Besides, aren’t you curious to figure out which Bratz doll character you are?
Some journal prompts for the next time you take a quiz…
What am I hoping this quiz will give me? (Validation? Clarity? Permission?)
Does this result reflect how I truly see myself—or how I wish I was seen by others?
Is this helping me understand myself better, or just giving me a shortcut?
Am I using this label as a tool for growth or as an excuse to stay the same?
What part of me doesn’t fit into this result?
What result do I wish I got? What did the quiz or assessment get wrong about me?
How would I describe myself without using any types, traits, or categories?
What would it feel like to be a little less certain about who I am, and more open to who I could become?
Let me know how you view quizzes or what came up when using the journaling prompts!