In Addiction Recovery, or any self-improvement, we are often challenged with figuring out who we are, how we operate, what is wrong with us, and how we can frame our personality around the world in a way that doesn’t portray a disorder or illness.

This process can get long, difficult, and confusing when done in a medical setting. I say this because I rarely see any type of provider, who receives insurance money, actually educate their patients. It’s usually, “let’s just talk about it for a few years while you take these pills…” It’s just never part of the program. The patient ends up going nowhere fast.

A good example of this would be the fact that a patient is rarely directed to take a Myers Briggs personality test. Purpose: The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) aims to help people understand their personality, focusing on how they gain energy, take in information, make decisions, and interact with the world. This seems like it would be a useful tool to work with in talk therapy or counseling, or psychiatry. But it’s as if its use is banned from those settings. And the reasons why, compared to the model they often do use (The Big Five) is so contradictory that I need to stop talking about it.

Another useful tool, that is most definitely deemed “hocus pocus”, “not evidence based”, in medical settings is the archetypal Zodiac Sign. I find this ironic because the Zodiac is rooted in Hermeticism. For those who don’t know who Hermes is, you see his symbol throughout all of medicine. The Caduceus.

I am not saying to treat your mental health with horoscopes and a one-page synopsis about your MB category. I am saying reads books on them. Study, research, and see how many “ah ha” moments you get.

When I combined the two tools it gave me a quantum leap in understanding about why I am the way I am, and subsequently, why I experienced so much kickback from people and society when I was curating an authentic Self.

I found that there were reasons why I struggled holding down a 9-to-5 job, and it was not lack of work ethic. There were reasons for my disharmony, why I was misunderstood, why I think and act the way I do. The nuances, the quirks, the strengths and weaknesses, all bundled in explanations that hit home every time—a soul mirror.

It was these insights that allowed me to turn what society told me were weaknesses into my strengths. Because, if you don’t know who you are, society will tell you, and that’s when the discord begins.

The following is a sample cross-reference for my specific Zodiac Sign and Personality Type. It is, and has always been, highly accurate. They are a simple way to provide some framework. I found that the more I tailor my life to who I really am and what I’m really about, the more everything that used to be offbeat began to synchronize.

 Leo x INFJ:

“A person who blends the psychological pattern of an INFJ with the archetypal symbolism of the Leo often experiences a unique tension between inner depth and outward expression. The combination creates someone who is both intensely introspective and quietly powerful—someone driven by meaning, purpose, and the desire to influence the world in a positive way. Yet in modern American society, which tends to reward speed, extroversion, and surface-level productivity, this personality blend can encounter particular struggles.

At their core, INFJs are known for intuition, empathy, and pattern recognition. They naturally analyze human behavior, systems, and motivations. They often see connections others miss and tend to think about life in terms of purpose, transformation, and moral direction. Meanwhile, the Leo archetype carries themes of courage, creative expression, leadership, and a deep desire to shine authentically. When these two frameworks intersect, the result is often someone who feels internally called to lead or inspire—but not in the loud, attention-seeking way people usually associate with leadership.

Instead, the INFJ–Leo tends to lead through vision and conviction. They want to move people, awaken people, or help others grow. However, because INFJs are naturally private and sensitive to emotional environments, they may struggle with the more aggressive or competitive elements of American culture. The workplace, social media ecosystems, and high-pressure career environments often reward assertive networking, self-promotion, and constant visibility. For someone wired to reflect deeply before speaking and to prioritize meaning over status, this can create friction.

One common obstacle for this personality combination is misinterpretation by others. The Leo element gives them a strong internal sense that they are meant to do something impactful. But the INFJ side tends to be cautious, observant, and selective about where they invest their energy. From the outside, this can appear contradictory. Some people may see them as confident yet reserved, passionate yet withdrawn. In fast-moving social environments, this nuance can be misunderstood as aloofness or inconsistency.

Another challenge is the burden of idealism. INFJs naturally form mental models of how people and systems could function at their best. Leo energy adds a strong moral courage to act on those ideals. In a society where institutions often prioritize profit, efficiency, or short-term results over deeper human wellbeing, this personality combination can feel disillusioned. They may repeatedly encounter situations where their sense of integrity clashes with cultural norms.

This can lead to periods of quiet frustration or isolation. The INFJ–Leo may feel like they see truths others overlook—about relationships, leadership, addiction, social systems, or personal development—yet struggle to communicate those insights in environments that value simpler narratives. Over time, they may withdraw from groups or institutions that feel superficial, preferring smaller circles where authentic dialogue is possible.

There is also the tension between visibility and privacy. Leo archetypally wants to express something creative or meaningful to the world. INFJ energy, however, requires solitude to process emotions and ideas. The person may feel internally pulled between wanting to share their message publicly and needing long stretches of quiet reflection. Balancing these drives can be difficult, especially in a culture that expects constant output and online presence.

Yet these same struggles are often the source of their greatest strengths. When an INFJ–Leo finds an environment aligned with their values, they can become deeply influential—not through dominance, but through clarity of vision. Their empathy allows them to understand people, while their courage allows them to speak truth when others hesitate.

Rather than fitting smoothly into the “production line” rhythms of society, this personality combination often thrives when it builds its own path—through teaching, writing, mentoring, creative work, or mission-driven leadership.

In that sense, the challenge for an INFJ–Leo is not learning how to become someone else. It is learning how to structure their life around the way they already operate—turning what society sometimes labels as “different” into a deliberate advantage.”

If you made it this far, let me ask, how long do you think it would take me to figure this out with a medical professional?