One of the most common questions about personality is whether it can change — or whether it's fixed for life. The answer is both fascinating and hopeful: personality is relatively stable, but it’s not set in stone.
Research in personality psychology shows that while core personality traits (like those in the Big Five) are generally stable over the lifespan, gradual changes do occur — especially in response to life experiences, roles, and personal effort.
For example, studies have found that as people age, they tend to become more agreeable, conscientious, and emotionally stable (lower in Neuroticism). These shifts are often described as "maturity effects."
While some changes happen naturally, personality can also shift through intentional behavior and consistent practice. For instance:
Major life events — such as starting a new career, becoming a parent, going through trauma, or moving to a new culture — can influence our personality traits. These shifts are often subtle and gradual, but meaningful.
Understanding that personality can evolve gives us the opportunity to grow intentionally. Whether you want to be more organized, resilient, open-minded, or social, small changes over time can shift your personality profile in meaningful ways.
The Big Five traits give you a snapshot of where you are today — and a map of what traits you may want to strengthen over time.