282. Can we change our personality?

We've all heard the stereotypes about only children - they're selfish, they're dominating, they're arrogant, they are spoiled. Well, it turns out that might not be accurate. In today's episode we break down the intricate psychology of the only child and do a quick review of birth order theory, including:  Where did our stereotypes about only children come from Are only children smarter?  What makes them such perfectionist?  Who do only children date? What should only children do for work? The complex child-parent relationship + the struggles of being an only child This was such a fascinating episode, I hope you enjoy and happy listening!   PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It feels like the personality we have is the one we're stuck with, regardless of how much we wish we were different...but is that really the case? In today's episode we are joined by writer and author Olga Khazan who ran a year long experiment to see how much she could change her personality to be more outgoing, less anxious and hopefully, happier. We discuss:  The root of all personalities What does science say is the best kind of personality When does personality become stable  Is it possible to change?  How could we change our personality?  The results of her experiment then & now + much more Listen now!  Olga's book here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Me-But-Better/Olga-Khazan/9781668012543    PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dating right now can feel like a minefield - in today's episode we break down exactly how to reclaim your power in today's dating climate, including:  The 3 reasons we lose our power The consequences of becoming defeated with dating  My 5 tips for reclaiming your agency  Why we need to STOP playing games  What to do when you get attached too quickly + so much more  Listen now!   PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Intuition is this deep sense of knowing that guides and expands our lives. Anxiety on the other hand restricts us by keeping us beholden to fear. Despite their differences, they can feel remarkably the same, especially if you are someone who has an anxious, overthinking disposition. In today’s episode, we break down how to tell them apart, including: Where anxiety sits in the body How to spot an anxious thought The origin and science of intuition How intuition should feel Why they feel similar My 6 question checklist for telling them apart How to strengthen your connection with your intuition Plus personal stories of being saved by a gut instinct and our listener questions! Listen now!   PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you're struggling with your sense of purpose, job hunting or feelings of success, it can be very hard to see someone else who has everything you want, and not feel jealous. In today's episode, we break down the very important psychology of career jealousy in our 20s, including:  The 3 types of career jealousy Why it's most common in our 20s  Career jealousy between friends and siblings The unspoken consequences  How to turn envy into inspiration and admiration  4 tips to not let envy control you + questions from the listeners Listen now!    PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's said that around 1/3 of society has tattoos - that increases to nearly half for people in their 20s. What is it about this permanent form of art that so many of us feel called to get? And what are the psychological underpinnings behind our design choices, why we may find ourselves wanting more and more tattoos, the relationship to childhood experiences and which tattoos we may come to regret... in today's episode, we break it all down including:  The 3 main psychological reasons people get tattoos  Tattoos as a form of permanence and belonging  Why we see similar designs or 'trending' tattoos  Tattoos and why we love the pain  Which tattoos we regret  How to make smart tattoo decisions + so much more  Listen now and drop your tattoo regrets below!    PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm turning 25! Here are all my thoughts and feelings about ageing, dealing with expectations around birthdays, loneliness, the pressure to have fun and a much needed mindset shift towards growing older. I also discuss my GO TO birthday routine that brings me peace, growth and clarity every year! Listen now and thank you for another wonderful year with the podcast :)  PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean   Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What makes someone an introvert vs. an extrovert and why is it different to what you may have been told? In today's episode, we break down the psychology between these two personality types that seem to categorise and divide society by looking back at when the theory was first created, till now. We also discuss:  The myth of ambiverts What dopamine has to do with it  How much is it genetic?  The Big Five  How introversion/extroversion is influenced by where you were born  How to accept your personality + so much more Listen now to learn about why you are the person you are!   PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we first meet someone, the thing we instantly look for is a 'spark' - do a connect, are we attracted to each other, do we feel passion and fire and connection. What we often forget to look for is compatibility - does this person see me? Compatibility is the long term make or break of a relationship, regardless of how much intensity is there in the beginning. In today's episode, we break down the 5 biggest signs of emotional compatibility, including:  Why we should be searching for stillness over excitement What effortless communication should feel like  Do you need to have the same political views as your partner?  The 4 emotional languages  The secret power of laughter + so much more  Finally, I share a brief compatibility checklist so you can judge a new relationship or connection for yourself. Listen now!    PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Youngest children have a reputation for being rebellious, rule breakers, sociable, charming, a bit spoiled and maybe even attention seekers. Is all of that true? And why is that the case? In today's episode, let's tackle the last sibling in our birth order series by deep diving in the psychology of birth order theory, alongside:  The biggest stereotypes about youngest children Why youngest children are treated and raised differently  What makes youngest children so successful in business?  Can we predict who youngest children will marry?  What struggles youngest children encounter in their families + much more!  Listen now, youngest and all other siblings alike to learn more.    PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast For business: [email protected]    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.