What Plant is Waiting for You?

Have you ever taken a personality quiz? The ones where they ask a series of questions, and based on your answers, your “type” is revealed. A number or series of letters that groups you with similar-thinking people, the answers providing a sense of enlightenment and validation that you have a future, a direction, or a community. I have many times.

I grew up with the exponential expansion of the internet and technological advancements. Of course, I took a variety of quizzes, assessments, and aptitude tests in an attempt to foresee my future. 

I remember spending time with my middle school friends at lunch, passing around the teen magazine to find out which boy band mate was our ideal match. There was only one copy, and only the owner of each particular issue was allowed the privilege of writing in the magazine; everyone else had to keep track of their answers separately. 

 The group quickly evolved, and instead of passing around the single paper, impatiently waiting, we were all able to click images that best matched our perceived personality independently. With this stunning advancement, we were able to reveal so much more about any future lives. 

Then, with the transfer to high school, the group grew more diverse. Boys started joining us for lunch. From there, more “mature” questionnaires were completed. The quizzes shifted towards tests that revealed what kind of car best described our personality based on select favorite TV show characters. These assessments gave us the answers to much more serious situations. I vividly remember one that suggested what kind of candy to eat on a movie date based on the style of life you wanted. I still order Junior Mints at the theater. 

Later in life, as the lunch group divided on separate journeys, I took similar, albeit less enjoyable, quizzes that were designed to help me understand my personal weaknesses and adapt them to benefit future employers.

My first serious aptitude test was administered by my university to all incoming freshmen. It was part of onboarding, where we were grouped to learn the best studying strategies and how to overcome social difficulties when personalities clashed. The intent was to reveal the importance of teamwork and make good students. 

Unfortunately, I do not have any data to prove that it actually worked. Personally, finding out that I was most like the Friends character Monica Geller and not Rachel Green, as I originally thought, may have been more revealing, but we will not tell them that.

In the end, all of these situations stemmed from a mixed desire for both knowledge and a sense of belonging. Nobody really thought they were going to marry a rockstar; we just wanted something to talk about. Was I disappointed that I was labeled a “Monica”? Yes. Was it accurate? Absolutely. 

Did it really shape my future to know that I was sorted into Gryffindor, I have the personality of an Audi R8, and I am an INFJ? Maybe not, but it gave me a sense of confidence going forward, or a starting place at least. So, just for fun, and maybe in no way 100% accurate, I built a small quiz (on paper) to see what plant matches your lifestyle, to give you a future, a direction, or at least a community. 

1. Your ideal weekend feels like…

1. A quiet recharge

2. An exciting adventure

3. A creative outlet

2. How frequently do you talk with your friends?

1. Almost never

2. Just enough

3. Basically every day

3. Your ultimate goal in life is…

1. Live simply

2. Express yourself

3. Continuous growth

4. When faced with challenges, you tend to…

1. Wait to see what happens

2. Tackle the problem head on

3. Brainstorm different solutions

5. The movie quote that reflects your desired relationship…

1. After all this time? Always. 

2. I love you. I know. 

3. If you’re a bird, I’m a bird. 

Mostly A’s- 

Taxus media ‘Hicksii’: You are steady, resilient, and prefer a quiet balance.

Mostly B’s-  *pictured

Clematis terniflora ‘Sweet Autumn’: You shine boldly and add character wherever you go.

Mostly C’s- 

Blueberry ‘Bluejay’: You thrive when creating, you are nurturing, and love to witness growth.