Like many mundane questions tapped into Google, “Can you really change your personality?” is probably one of the most common. And people want to know. It’s the subject of sci-fi novels and TV series, and has baffled the human mind for centuries.
The question plays into the impetus of pop culture, using the subject matter as a plot device, separating the Jekyll from the Hyde.
Science says there is. Apologies to those expecting secret underground bunkers and lab tests. There’s no mad scientist vibes to “resetting” your personality. It’s also not as straightforward as you may think.
Is Personality Set in Stone?
Short answer: No. Slightly longer answer: No, but with a few caveats.
Personality is shaped by genetics and environment. Research cited by Healthline claims that your genes play a role in traits such as introversion or emotional sensitivity. They don’t, however, get the final say.
Think of it like baking: genetics give you the ingredients, your experiences decide how the cake turns out. The Conversation confirms that personality traits can shift over time, specifically when you deliberately change your thoughts and behaviors.
So no, you’re not “stuck like this.”
The Big Five
When psychologists talk about personality, they’re usually referring to the “Big Five” traits:
- Openness (how curious and receptive you are to new ideas and experiences)
- Conscientiousness (how structured, reliable, and self-disciplined you tend to be)
- Extraversion (how sociable and energized you feel around others)
- Agreeableness (how kind, cooperative, and considerate you are)
- Neuroticism (how sensitive you are to stress and emotional ups and downs)
Psychology Today explains that these traits aren’t fixed. They evolve across your lifetime. This is where that adage “older and wiser” comes into play. View it as good news if you’ve ever thought, “I’d really like to be less stressed and more… together.”
Want to Go Deeper?
The human mind is an extraordinary organ, and if all of this has you thinking how personalities work, you’re not alone.
A growing number of people are exploring psychology more seriously as a career path. Imagine what a 1-year Master’s in Psychology online could unlock? Accelerated psychology master’s online programs like these are a flexible way to dive into the science behind personality and mental health without putting your life on hold.
A fast-track psychology degree online is designed to be completed in 12 months with modules aligned with your career trajectory. Psych Degree Starter advises using the Decision Framework to determine which graduate psychology program to follow.
You Can Change, But It’s Not Magic
If you’re reading this for a quick explanation and not intent on going down a rabbit hole, we hear you.
Personality change is possible. Nonetheless, it’s gradual and intentional. It’s less “overnight transformation” and more “slow, slightly awkward upgrade.”
The Atlantic explains that people who actively want to change certain traits (like becoming more outgoing or emotionally stable) can do so over time with consistent effort.
We’re not talking decades. Some studies show measurable shifts in months. Even more remarkable is a BBC Future experiment that documented noticeable personality changes in six weeks through targeted behavioral exercises.
How Personality Changes
You don’t change your personality by thinking differently. You change it by doing things differently.
Fast Company adds that small, repeated actions can gradually reshape your traits. Want to be more extroverted? Start by saying yes to one social thing a week. Want to be more conscientious? Set tiny, consistent routines (and stick to them).
Your brain slowly starts to adapt.
Your Habits Are Rewriting You
Every time you act “out of character,” you’re nudging your personality in a new direction.
Personality science is Professor Shannon Sauer-Zavala’s area of expertise. She’s seen how repeated behaviors can rewire how you see yourself. Sauer-Zavala tells CBS News that when we consciously change our thinking, we maintain those changes over time.
We’re essentially shifting our personalities.
Stress is the Sneaky Personality Shaper
Your everyday stress habits are also shaping your personality, whether you like it or not.
A study published in Psychology and Aging found that consistently reacting poorly to stress can increase traits like irritability and emotional instability over time. In other words, how you handle bad days can turn into who you are on all days.
So, if stress can push your personality in one direction, better coping strategies can push it back.
What Actually Works?
Start With One Trait
Trying to become a completely different person is a fast track to burnout. Pick one trait (being more patient or organized, etc.) and focus on that.
Change Behavior First, Identity Later
Don’t wait to feel like a confident person. Act like one in small ways. The feeling catches up.
Repetition Is Everything
One brave moment won’t change you. Fifty might.
Expect Resistance
You might feel awkward at first. That’s normal. Growth is basically controlled discomfort.
Practice, Don’t Be
Your personality isn’t going to change overnight. And when it does, you’re far from a finished product.
You’re a work in progress with flexible settings. The most important thing to remember is that personality isn’t something you are; it’s something you practice.
And while the goal isn’t to transform into a complete unknown person, you can become a slightly better, calmer, braver version of yourself over time.
