SURVIVAL ARCHETYPE

Find your

Learn the patterns keeping you stuck in symptoms

What is a Survival Archetype?

A survival archetype is the unique blend of traits, habits, and coping strategies your mind and body developed to keep you safe during times of stress or uncertainty. These patterns often worked well in the past — protecting you from overwhelm, helping you navigate challenges, or giving you a sense of control.

But when you’re living with chronic symptoms, these same patterns can quietly keep you stuck. They shape how you respond to your body, your emotions, and your environment — often keeping your nervous system in protection mode.

By discovering your survival archetype, you shine a light on the very patterns that have been running the show beneath your awareness. Once you can see them, you have the power to work with them — keeping the strengths, releasing the unhelpful habits, and creating new, supportive patterns that allow your brain and body to feel safe enough to heal.

Which one are you?

THE OVERTHINKER

Insightful, detail-oriented, and always searching for understanding. However, gets caught up in analysing every symptom, decision, and feeling — creating more tension instead of clarity. When rewired, their focus becomes a powerful tool for healing.

THE OVERGIVER

Compassionate, supportive, and deeply connected to others. Gets caught up in putting everyone else’s needs before their own, leaving little energy for recovery. When balanced, their generosity fuels deep self-care and connection.

THE ACHIEVER

Driven, determined, and committed to making progress. Gets caught up in pushing through symptoms and avoiding rest, which keeps the body in overdrive. When aligned, their discipline creates steady, sustainable healing momentum.

THE AVOIDER

Protective, discerning, and highly attuned to their environment. Gets caught up in withdrawing from situations, sensations, or emotions that feel overwhelming — keeping them stuck in fear. When they re-engage, their discernment becomes a guiding force for recovery.

Take the quiz below

(Make a note of your answers in a journal so you can get the most accurate result)

  • 1) When symptoms flare up, your first instinct is to:

    A) Analyse what caused it or what it “means”

    B) Worry how it will affect those around you

    C) Feel frustrated that you’re not doing better

    D) Distract yourself or shut down completely

  • 2) What do you find hardest about rest or stillness?

    A) Your mind won’t switch off

    B) You feel guilty not being productive

    C) You fear you’re wasting time or falling behind

    D) You avoid rest altogether — it feels uncomfortable

  • 3) When you start feeling a little better, you usually:

    A) Get caught up in analysing what you did to help

    B) Try to support others before tending to yourself

    C) do lots of things in one day and then crash

    D) Pull back because you fear losing progress

  • 4) The thought you secretly identify with most is:

    A) “If I could just figure it out, I’d be okay.”

    B) “I don’t want to let anyone down.”

    C) “I should be further along by now.”

    D) “Maybe it’s easier to just not do/feel anything.”

  • 5) What best describes your relationship with tools and practices?

    A) You’re always researching the perfect one

    B) You show up inconsistently because life is so busy

    C) You do them rigidly and feel bad if you miss one

    D) You avoid starting or are not consistent — it feels overwhelming

  • 6) What’s your biggest fear around healing?

    A) That you’ll miss something and stay stuck

    B) That healing means you’ll have to face responsibilities again

    C) That you’ll lose momentum or relapse

    D) That you’ll feel too much and spiral

  • 7) How do you usually talk to yourself during tough moments?

    A) Critical or analytical (“What did I do wrong?”)

    B) Self-blaming (“I’ve messed this up for everyone”)

    C) Harsh (“I should know better by now”)

    D) Detached (“It doesn’t matter. Whatever.”)

  • 8) What happens when you see others healing?

    A) “Why is it working for them and not me?”

    B) “They’re so lucky to have support — I have a lot of responsibilities on top”

    C) “I need to catch up — I’m falling behind”

    D) “I’ll never be like them — i may as well not even try”

  • 9) If your symptoms were a character, they’d say:

    A) I showed up to help you slow down and finally feel safe.

    B) I’m here to finally let others take care of you for once.

    C) I gave you a reason to pause — because you never would have stopped otherwise.

    D) I became your way out — when life felt too overwhelming to face head-on.

  • 10) When you imagine being fully recovered, the scariest part is:

    A) Letting go of control

    B) Having to say no or set boundaries

    C) Not having a ‘goal’ to chase anymore

    D) Being fully present with your emotions

There’s a reason why following someone else’s recovery plan never worked for you…

Based on your quiz result, choose your archetype below. It’s okay if you relate to more than one, just choose the one you relate to the most.