When I first started studying Traditional Chinese Medicine, I took a bunch of Five Element personality quizzes. I was curious to see what would come up—and honestly, the results were all over the place. One quiz said I was mostly Metal and Earth. Another called me Wood. My friend took the quiz for me and confirmed: I’m a mix of all three.

At first, I found it confusing. But over time, it started to make sense. Because I’m not just one way. Depending on where I live, the kind of work I’m doing, or what phase of life I’m in, a different element comes forward. And understanding how these elements move through me has helped me make sense of everything from burnout to relationship patterns to the type of work that actually energizes me.

This post is for anyone who wants a deeper perspective on themselves—not just from a productivity or personality lens, but through the wisdom of nature.

If You Want to Find Your Element and Do the Same:

 Step 1: Take one of the following quizzes -

1. https://dantianhealth.com.au/five-element-personality/
2. https://acupunctureinvermont.com/5-element-quiz/
3. https://learnthefiveelements.com/5-elements-quiz/

Step 2: Reflect on the following:

1. What element did you get?
2. Do you agree or disagree with the element you were given?
3. If you got different answers from different quizzes, how does this show up in your life?

What the Elements Revealed About Me

In one quiz, I got Metal and Earth, which felt true. I’m structured, I love documenting things, I create systems—but I’m also deeply nurturing, intuitive, and grounded. That duality has always been there. When I studied energy healing, one of my teachers said the same thing. He saw how I was disciplined and organized, but also able to completely let go, connect to Spirit, and tap into a deeper energetic wisdom.

Another quiz told me I’m Wood: ambitious, creative, visionary.

That’s true too. Wood is what fuels all the ideas I have, the businesses I’ve started, and the courses I’m always creating.

My friend—who knows me really well—said I’m both Earth and Metal. He sees the soft, loving part of me that’s always there for people, and the sharper, boundary-setting part that doesn’t linger if something isn’t right.

Even my birth chart reflects a mix of Metal, Wood, and Earth. No wonder I’ve always felt like I’m made of layers.

When Metal Takes Over

Metal is probably the element I’ve lived in the most. Especially when I worked in tech. When I moved from Toronto to Silicon Valley and became a Product Manager, I leaned heavily into my Metal side. I needed that structure, logic, and discipline just to survive. I had tight deadlines, huge goals, and little space for softness or emotion. It was all about precision and performance.

But Metal also burned me out. Because alongside all that structure was my Wood—coming up with new ideas, pushing toward bigger visions. So while Metal kept me functioning, Wood kept pulling me forward. And together, they often pushed me to the edge.

Leaning Into Earth and Slowing Down

When I left the Bay Area and moved to Los Angeles (and eventually to Pisac, Peru), a different version of me started to emerge. Earth. I started focusing more on wellness. I studied Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. I began energy healing work. I walked everywhere, ordered food from a local farm, and let myself rest.

Earth is the part of me that wants to create something meaningful, stable, and rooted. It’s also the part of me that shows up in relationships with care, devotion, and loyalty. I used to think this part of me was “too soft,” but now I know it’s just as important as the part that builds, moves, and creates.

Of course, Earth has its shadow, too. Sometimes I give too much. I take on emotional responsibility for others. That’s where Metal helps—by creating boundaries so I don’t lose myself in caretaking.

Inviting in Water

Water is new for me. I didn’t identify with it for a long time. But lately, I’ve been learning to trust more. To flow. To stop over-planning every part of my life. After four layoffs in ten years and two major relationship endings, I realized I couldn’t control everything.

Water teaches me how to listen to my intuition. It helps me stop rationalizing emotions and let things move through me. But Metal still shows up and tries to contain it—cutting off flow with logic and control. That’s the dance I’m working on now. Letting Water soften Metal without losing the structure I still need.

The Inner Conflict: Wood vs. Metal

The biggest tension in my life is between Wood and Metal. Wood wants to create constantly. Start things. Move fast. Metal wants to perfect, pause, and refine.

When Wood dominates, I take on too much. I move too fast. I burn out.

When Metal dominates, I become too critical. I stop moving forward because nothing feels “ready.”

It’s a loop I know well: I have a big vision (Wood), start building (Metal), then slow myself down with perfectionism… and eventually give up. The solution isn’t to get rid of either. It’s to let them support each other. Let Wood come first—initiate. Let Metal come second—refine. In that order.

How This Shows Up in My Body

I’ve had lung issues (Metal), digestive issues (Earth), and adrenal fatigue (Water and Kidney deficiency). When my Metal is overactive, I get sick. When my Earth is weak, I can’t nourish myself. When my Wood is out of balance, I get anxiety and restlessness.

I can literally feel the Five Elements in my health. When I reflect on my physical symptoms, they almost always tie back to an emotional or energetic imbalance.

A Final Question: Is Metal My True Nature?

Sometimes I wonder: Am I naturally Metal? Or was I raised that way?

I grew up in an Eastern European immigrant family. My grandparents were engineers and scientists. Everything was about discipline, structure, and order. I was taught to value logic and control. But part of me feels like that was conditioned—not inherent.

Maybe I’ve always had Earth, Water, and Wood inside me too—but Metal was the only element I was allowed to show. Now, I’m learning how to bring the rest forward.

How I Use This Framework in My Work

In my work—especially as I build tools and practices for other women navigating burnout and career changes—I use this lens to help them understand their own nature.

I remind them:

• Earth is the nurturer. It shows up in the part of you that wants to help others, feel safe, and build something that lasts.
• Wood is the visionary. It’s the creative spark, the new idea, the drive to grow.
• Metal is the finisher. It brings refinement, clarity, and structure.
• Water is the intuitive. It helps you feel, flow, and trust the unknown.
• Fire is the spark of joy. It brings passion, warmth, and charisma—but for some of us, it needs to be reignited.

Most of us have a dominant element, but we’re all a blend. The goal isn’t to become “balanced” in a perfect way. It’s to know which part of you needs support right now, and what environments let that part come alive.

What I’m Practicing Now

I’m learning to speak to all of these parts of myself.

I’m carving out time for each:

• Space for Earth: nourishing food, time in nature, connection
• Space for Wood: brainstorming new ideas, creating something bold
• Space for Metal: editing, refining, organizing
• Space for Water: journaling, resting, letting go

Instead of being at war with myself, I’m learning to let all of these voices have a seat at the table.

Because none of them are wrong. They’re just different sides of me, all trying to guide me home.