“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”

Non-reflective espousers effectively refuse to dig below the surface of their lives. Not thinking beyond their immediate needs, they have no interest in personal development, liking to keep the doorway to their inner world firmly locked. They believe that learning more about themselves is a waste of time. As long as they feel calm and comfortable, they feel no urge to understand their innermost needs, or to discover their purpose in life. There is a tendency for such people to be over 55 years of age and to live in low income households, but there is no significant difference between men and women.

The Non-reflective espouser’s get-up-and-go attitude got up and went a long time ago, when they learned that there were no benefits to putting more effort into life or work. Rather than feeling angst about a world divided into “haves” and “have nots”, they see everyone in their rightful place, doing what they are meant to be doing. Not seeking promotions or opportunities to climb the social ladder, they happily accept their position in life and enjoy staying where they are. Opting out of the rat race also correlates with their ability to not give in to the social pressures to have a particular body shape and to look a particular way. They accept the way they look and have very little inclination to change it.

Slow, incremental change is sometimes acceptable to the Non-reflective espouser but, generally speaking, they like to know what they are doing every day, every month and every year, valuing the predictable seasons and celebrations as they come and go. As a steadying influence on society, they help to maintain traditions and shared ways of doing things. Friends and colleagues see them as reliable and undemanding. They try to avoid conflicts of all kinds, including ideas that challenge their thoughts or way of life.

With no need for major change, improvement, or personal growth, they tend to buy as little as possible. They buy what they need to survive and get by. They have no need to change the way they look or to own symbols of success or status. If they do treat themselves, it would be something that helps them to be even more comfortable.

Non-reflective espousers do not ask much from life. Something to eat, a roof over their heads and as little hassle as possible are their sources of contentment.