How do your earliest peer relationships continue to shape every connection you make as an adult? The answer lies in understanding siblinghood.
Your Sibling Blueprint:
The Individualist
You learned to find your place by being different, unique, or carving out your own special niche. Whether as the creative one among more traditional siblings or the only child who developed strong independence, you cultivated a distinct identity and self-reliance.
How This Shows Up
You value independence and may feel suffocated by too much closeness.
• You're attracted to people who appreciate your uniqueness.
• You might struggle with "we" thinking and prefer making decisions on your own.
• You bring creativity and new perspectives to relationships.
• Sometimes, you feel misunderstood or like an outsider.
• You tend to need plenty of personal space and time alone to recharge.
• You enjoy exploring new ideas and experiences, often seeking growth and learning.
• You have a strong sense of authenticity and prefer genuine connections over superficial ones.
Your horizontal relationship pattern
You learned that being special or different was your path to belonging, which can make traditional relationship expectations feel constraining. You may resist "merging" in partnerships.
Hi! I’m Minaa B.
I’m a licensed therapist, author of "Owning Our Struggles," and creator of The Siblinghood Theory. As the youngest of 13 in a blended family system, I bring both professional expertise and lived experience to understanding the profound impact of sibling relationships on adult connections.
Whether you have biological siblings or are an only child who had to choose your siblings, I believe sibling relationships are reflected in all types of connections we form, be it platonic, romantic, or even in workplace dynamics. I developed this quiz to help guide you and gain a better understanding of yourself. The Siblinghood Theory is simply a new way to describe adult relationships and the way we talk about family.
Grab Your Worksheet
Learn that intimacy doesn't require losing your individuality, find a balance between independence and interdependence, and discover a sense of belonging through connection, not just uniqueness.
Disclaimer: This information does not constitute a diagnosis. It serves as a resource for your relationships. If you have concerns about your mental health and the stability of your relationships, consider consulting a mental health professional in your area.
Owning Our Struggles: A Path to Healing and Finding Community in a Broken World
Adversity comes in many forms and can make us feel alone in our pain, even years after the fact. But as wellness coach and licensed therapist Minaa B. observes, we can’t heal in isolation. The best way to move past individual trauma is through connection and community—healing ourselves and one another.