The Role of Conditioning in Reflectors

As far as I can tell, no other Human Design type faces as many challenges living in alignment as Reflectors do. I've never heard a Generator say, "I really wish the world would speed up so I can go through my day at an even faster pace!".

All joking aside, when you discover you're a Reflector you start noticing that how you're designed is in complete contrast to how the rest of the world operates. This is one of the most challenging realizations to come to terms with.

But why?

The TLDR version is this: Reflectors have been conditioned to act like the other 99%, which sets this as the standard for what is right. And of course, the flip side is the belief that doing things the Reflector way is wrong.

Let's explore.

Imagine you grew up in a world that moved at your pace. You were encouraged to explore ideas as they came to you, and your source of income was made up of multiple temporary jobs you could change as often as you liked. Your ideas and decisions were highly valued, so there was always enough space to feel out which decision to proceed with. This is a Reflector world.

Now, imagine how a Generator or a Manifesting Generator would feel in that type of world. They would be completely lost, frustrated by how slow everything moves, and wouldn't understand why it was so hard to get a yes or no answer out of anyone. They would feel like it's epically difficult to be their Type in such a sloth-paced world, and have a really hard time with how consistent they are, compared to everyone else. Maybe the Reflectors would even make sarcastic remarks about how "fixed" and "unchanging" these other types are!

What's the difference between the made up world and the world you live in right now? The only distinction is who has formed the "dominant" culture.

Human Design is an ecosystem consisting of approximately 70% Generators and Manifesting Generators, 20% Projectors, 9% Manifestors, and 1% Reflectors. It's not that any single type is right or wrong, it's just a numbers game. More than that, we are hard-wired to fit into our cultural groups for safety and survival. Standing out is a no-no, from an evolutionary stand point.

And here's where we need to remember that we don't live in cave person times anymore. We can set boundaries, stand up for our needs, and express ourselves, while still being loved…even if we're not fully understood.

Conditioning has shaped us Reflectors to believe that being faster, more decisive, and having long-term consistency are keys to survival and success. Even if you have a Reflector parent (I do!), chances are the other relatives in your life, your classmates at school, and your peers were mostly made up of those speedy Generators and Manifesting Generators. Like I said, it's a numbers game.

Now, fast forward to wherever you are right now in life.

How do you describe your Reflector traits?

If the words you use are on the negative side, chances are you're still holding onto conditioning from your earlier years. This is a great time to get acquainted with the thoughts, beliefs, and values you hold. Take some time to examine anything you believe to be true, such as "I have to choose one career path and stick with it". You don't always need to pinpoint where that belief came from, just knowing it's there is enough. Next, it's time to decide if this belief supports the real you or if it hides the real you.

And do you know who gets to make that decision? YOU do! No one else.

If your answer is, "Yes, this belief is super supportive for me!", then keep on believing it. But if the answer is "No, this belief doesn't support me at all.", then you've got some unlearning (aka deconditioning) to do.

I don't blame any Reflector who feels like our type has more than its share of challenges. But I also believe that if you feel this way, it's up to YOU to decide how long you're going to hold onto those feelings.

If you've ever listened to a Jim Rohn lecture, you'll know this famous line of his. He says, "Don't wish it was easier, wish you were better." I take this advice seriously. We each have the power to choose how we interpret any given situation, and being a Reflector type is a very special kind of situation!

You were chosen to be a Reflector because you have something important to contribute to the world. It's time to let go of the thoughts, beliefs, and values you picked up along the way if they don't serve you any more.

Curious how to start the unlearning process? There's lots of info on the blog, or feel free to explore our Reflector programs, tailored specifically for the 1%.

Psst! Have you read the Reflector Reframe book yet? It's the ultimate roadmap for Human Design Reflectors. Available on Amazon worldwide now!