Weird Ways Your Birth Order Impacts Your Personality As An Adult
Firstborns
As a firstborn, you might find yourself slipping into a parental role even in adult relationships. This “third parent syndrome” means you’re often the go-to person for advice or help, mirroring the responsibilities you had as the eldest sibling. It’s a bit odd when your friends start seeing you as their crisis manager or life coach! You can combat this by looking to your friends for support in your struggles (this might not be something you’re used to doing, though) or setting boundaries on when you’re available to lend a listening ear. Your siblings will probably always look to you for advice, though.
Middle Children
Middle children develop a unique ability to adapt to different social situations, a trait that often sticks with them into adulthood. This is often referred to as the ‘chameleon effect’ – it means that you might change your interests, behaviors, or even opinions depending on who you’re with. You might have a completely different personality in one social circle than you do in another, and it can make it hard for you to understand what exactly your identity looks like on its own. However, it also makes you very effective at fitting in, which can open up doors for you. Once you find a group of people you truly trust, you might feel more comfortable exploring your own identity and showing off your ‘true’ personality a little more.
Youngest Children
As the youngest child, you often retain a sense of perpetual youthfulness. This can manifest in being seen as the ‘fun one’ in your friend group or workplace, regardless of your age. You’re likely to be more risk-taking and adventurous, holding onto that youngest child spark that makes you seem forever young. You might sometimes be seen as a little irresponsible, but you’re also known as someone who has a full and joyful life, which is definitely worth it for you in the end. You’re also most likely to enjoy a lifestyle that’s unique and varied, whether you fill it with myriad hobbies, constant travel, or plenty of exploration.
Only Children
Only children often spend a lot of time in adulthood consulting their own minds and self-reflecting before making decisions. You might notice that you talk to yourself a lot or just need time to think before deciding on anything – split-second decisions may also prove difficult for you, as you’ll often come up with different outcomes the longer you think on something. Growing up without siblings to bounce ideas off, you’ve become accustomed to constant internal deliberation – if you don’t have other people to refer to, you’ll probably feel the urge to play out every possibility in your head before doing something. This can lead to being incredibly self-reflective (and occasionally indecisive) as you weigh every angle in your mind’s conference room.