Thursday, March 24, 2011

More on Dressing Your Truth

We are really enjoying our Dressing Your Truth trials. We bought several copies of the $1 trial so that we'd have the information for all 4 types since we have all four in our family.

I thought I'd share some of the things that have been helpful for us in deciding between one type or another, in case you're taking the course and having trouble deciding.

######################################

3 and 1 actually have a lot of similarities in their features, but the main difference is that the 1 has a lot of upward, light movement and the overall impression they give is "cute" and "fun", while a 3 comes across as more intense and dramatic.

From what I have been reading/hearing, though, a 4/1 or 1/4 combination where both elements are coming across really strongly can look a lot like a 3 in the way it expresses in a personality.

Ultimately you really have to go with what seems right to you, I think. You know yourself best. But remember that often we have tried to change or squelch who we are, so that's why the physical traits and body language can be especially telling--sometimes even more than behavior, which is easier to alter.

I also had some doubt about the strength of the connection between physical traits and personality. But as a rabbit breeder I've come in contact with quite a bit of scientific and experiential evidence that there are or at least can be some strong genetic links between physical and behavioral/personality traits.

For instance, if you get a chance to read about the fascinating study where groups of foxes selected solely on the basis of temperamental and behavioral traits actually developed consistent physical traits in each line (with the tamer foxes looking more like domestic dogs), it's very interesting. Here's an article by Temple Grandin that includes some information about genetic links between various characteristics, and mentions the fox study.

So far, the connection between physical and personality traits that Carol makes in her program really seems to hold true for the most part in our family. Although DH points out that "The [Family Name] Nose" in his family appears to be a strongly hereditary trait independent of personality. :)

So don't forget to look at your facial features, hands, movement, doodling and body language as described in the videos, along with your internal feelings and tendencies.

Carol Tuttle has also written a couple of books on energy profiling. Both books have a lot of the same information in them, but It's Just my Nature is more general about the personality types and applicable to everyone, while Dressing Your Truth-Discover Your Personal Beauty Profile is more geared toward women and has more info. about the fashion industry and why it's not helpful for most women. I haven't actually read either book yet, but I have one on hold at the library and will probably buy the other.

They are running a special deal right now for a package with a book, audiobook, and the energy profiling online class that you can check out here if you want more info, or to see the individual books you can go to the store at the Dressing Your Truth website. The books don't teach you how to dress your truth, but they do teach the personality and facial profiling.

When I was questioning my type, I watched the "extra help" profiling videos again, and then watched the energy profiling video again. The first time through I sort of skipped past the sections re-showing images that convey each type, because it seemed redundant and I wanted to get to the point. (Type 3s tend to skip ahead or skim to get to the point.)

The second and third time through, I realized that the videos with images relating to each type in the "what type are you" section are really masterfully done. The images not only convey the types, but the music, the speed and even the direction and way the pictures move from one to the next fits each type very well.

I think that if you relax and watch those videos in a fully engaged way, paying attention to how you feel with each one, the one you resonate the most with and that feels like you will give a huge clue to which type you are.

I didn't particularly *like* the Type 3 video in the sense of feeling comfortable with it--it certainly wasn't relaxing! But I recognized myself in it.

When watching photo slide shows I inevitably feel like they're taking too long and going too slow; I don't need *that* long to look at a picture and am ready to move on to the next one way before it switches.

The Type 3 video was, in spots, too fast even for my comfort level. But it was dynamic and active and fast. It was hard to keep up with and at times made me feel a little uncomfortable--which is exactly how my Type 2 husband sometimes feels about my movement and energy. He loves me and the way I am, but I make his head spin. :) So I didn't find it pleasant in a soothing way at all, but I found it exciting and stimulating and resonated with it, if that makes sense.

On the other hand, there are some quality flaws in the energy profiling video itself, as well as some slightly inaccurate scientific claims (i.e. a simplified and not completely accurate description of elements).

DH and I were joking that the company should add that to their summary at the end to help people decide what type they are: "Do the minor flaws and unprofessional quality in this video bother you so much that you want to fix it or think judging thoughts about it? Or do you think, 'This is stupid,' and become tempted to dismiss everything else Carol has to say because of the flawed video quality, in your black-and-white thinking? If so, then you might have a 4 as either your primary or secondary leading.

"If it makes you feel angry that you're paying good money for an inferior product, or you have a drive to take action and do something about it, you might be a 3. If you noticed but didn't feel strong emotion about it or feel compelled to do anything about it, you may be a 2. If you didn't really notice, or noticed but then didn't give it a second thought or found it amusing, you may be a 1."

I'm glad I pushed through and gave it a chance anyway. :)

I went ahead and signed up for the Type 3 course, and the more I watch it the more I resonate with it and am sure I picked the right type for me. I so much enjoyed watching the videos, and laughed out loud at things that Carol said like, "Dainty is not our thing," and ""That's too neat and tidy for us--we move through life way too quickly to be tucking in our shirts."

Remember that you don't necessarily have to like the particular clothing items in order to understand the design principals from looking at them. Everyone's interpretation of a Type 1, Type 3, etc. will be different--you can combine the design elements in almost infinite ways.

They will also be affected to some extent by your culture and preferences, but they can apply in any situation.

For instance, in a group of nuns in a convent they will have only the option of very small variations in the way they wear their habits and drape their rosary beads to express their individuality (and, really, the whole idea of the habit is that they're all supposed to be the same and not express individuality or distract from spiritual things).

But a Type 1 might allow a few curls to escape from her coif, while a 2 might drape things more softly, a 3 might wear hers slightly asymmetrically and tie her belt or rosary beads at an angle, and a 4 might wear her habit and headdress in very severe and symmetrical lines. In a group of women who are all wearing the same colors and clothing items, those subtle differences will express their personalities even though it won't be as dramatic an expression as if they could vary their colors and styles.

Carol's Dressing Your Truth class teaches you to use colors, textures, lines and other elements together to most effectively complement and support your personality and unique features.

Overall, most of it just plain makes sense.

I think I will end up keeping the course after the trial. It's not something we would normally spend that kind of money on, and being a one-income family we have to carefully consider expenditures, but DH is on board with it and especially with the 30% discount they are offering I think it will be worth it to me. There are ongoing new resources being added all the time that I'll have access to, and I've found the information so very helpful.

I signed up for the trial fully intending to cancel it before the 5 days were up. Especially since I'm T3 with a secondary T4, my initial reaction was a very strong, "Who do she think SHE is to be telling everyone how to dress?!?!" But my 3 frugality and wanting to get a good deal and get my money's worth won out long enough to make me really give it a chance and go through the information.

I've found it surprisingly valuable.

I have no fashion sense at all, and had actually already been considering hiring someone to help me go through my wardrobe and do some shopping because I was tired of feeling like I looked frumpy, old and weird. So the timing was good for me.

And, I'm having so many new amazing insights into who I am, and in understanding my family better. Plus, I absolutely love my new look. So does DH.

I truly do think it's going to save me a lot of time, money and frustration in clothing shopping. And the amount of benefit we've already gotten out of it as a family in understanding each other has got to be worth at least the cost of a session or two of family counseling a few years down the road. :)

M&M was smiling ear to ear last night as she did her chores and got ready for bed, saying, "I like to say my words that go with Type 1 over to myself. I'm exuberant, light, bouyant, fresh, crisp and fun!" I think it's really validating to her, especially since she so often gets told to "settle down" in her life. :)

I do keep reminding the kids that they have elements of all types in themselves and it's fine to be other ways too . . . I don't want them to take this as a box to confine themselves into, but I like the part about it validating the value of who they are and the beauty in everyone's differences too.

Now, if I can just figure out what to do about a Type 3 hairstyle that would work with my wave and texture, but not go overboard with the movement and edginess to also honor my secondary 4, that would be great.

Labels: , , ,


3 Comments

Monday, March 21, 2011

Dressing Your Truth

Today is the last day to sign up for the Dressing Your Truth special promotion to get full access to the Dressing Your Truth course to try it out for 5 days for only $1.00

So far I've watched the Energy Profiling Class and am just starting into the actual Dressing Your Truth class, but what I've learned and gleaned already is already well worth more than $1.

The Energy Profiling stuff does have some hints of philosophy I don't personally agree with, but overall I'm highly impressed with the materials. It's not completely unique in that people have divided up personality traits and connected them with different elements, shapes, colors, parts of nature, etc. for generations.

But Carol Tuttle presents it in a unique and highly accessible way, that pulls parts of different ideas together with her own twist to make a rather unusual approach to understanding both the physical and personality traits that are inherent to you, and working with rather than against them in the way you live and even the way you dress.

She really encourages you to enjoy and appreciate who you are, and that what you might view as your weaknesses may actually be your strengths when used appropriately. She also teaches women how to dress and wear colors, lines and textures that convey and support their personality and natural beauty rather than fighting against it.

The 4 types are Type 1, the bright animated person; Type 2, the soft subtle person; Type 3, the rich, dynamic person; and Type 4, the bold, striking person.

######################################

I'm a Type 3, but for most of my life I've dressed (and often tried to act) like a Type 2 or Type 4, which gives people a mistaken impression of who I am and doesn't always predispose them to respond as well when my true personality unexpectedly pops out. When I dress like a soft, subtle woman, people often get surprised, taken aback and maybe even a little unsettled when they suddenly get jolted by the fact that I'm actually quite a fiery, active, high-energy, intense person.

I'm also already finding that learning more about my kids' personalities is helping me parent better and helping the kids understand and get along with each other. There are also some great free videos on marriage relationships between the different types on Carol's Blog (they can also be found on YouTube). DH and I laughed all the way through the two videos on Type 2/Type 3 combos since they described us so well (he's a Type 2).

There are also some videos with great tips on parenting and motivating children of different types, also available free online.

Carol also has a couple of books out on the energy profiling and personality components of her ideas.

But the actual information about colors, lines, textures, and even hair and makeup techniques that flatter and complement each type is only available in the Dressing Your Truth course. This is really valuable information especially for someone like me who is style-challenged. :)

There is also extensive information (available only through the course) on learning facial profiling and being able to tell what Types others are likely to be by their features, body language, habits, and even things like how they doodle. If you take the course, the videos with further resources on learning facial profiling in the extra resources section give a lot more in-depth information than the basic course video. There are lots of extra resources available, including access to previous club nights talking about things like how to bring your secondary type into the way you dress, also.

I'm really excited about this special offer, because I think it's well worth more than the $1.

Full Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in the sense that if you click through the links in this post, http://purplekangaroo.dressingyourtruth.com/coursetrial#main_navigation

I do get a kickback from whatever you buy now or in the future . . . they do that as a thank-you and incentive for anyone who has bought something who wants to share with others about their products. It is not a multi-level-marketing type of thing or something they heavily promote, but I thought in the interest of full disclosure I should mention that I do receive some benefit if you purchase through these links. You can also bypass that by going directly to the Dress Your Truth website without using my links if you prefer.

Labels: ,


0 Comments