I Took the CircleDNA Vital Test: Part 2 (Skin Health, Ancestry, and ALL my traits)
Oh, hello! You’re done reading part 1 and you’re here for Part 2 and essentially, more tea about me and my life? Well then, welcome and please get comfy as this is going to be another LONG read!
So, here I am all done with my shock with the whole gluten thing and feeling good about my exercise patterns and I scroll down to the next section which was “Ancestry.” Before I learned about genetic testing, if you had asked me about my genetic makeup I would have told you I'm 100% Tamil. That there's no way I'm anything but. Like I am probably the direct descendant of the first Tamil people to walk this earth.
Then I grew up and understood the role of history and my opinion changed to “I can understand overlaps with other South Indian regions, maybe even Sri Lanka because of proximity”. But! DNA tests tend to group all these regions as “South Asian” without any further breakdowns so there's no telling of my complete South Asian makeup. Which meant the only other group I expected to see was European. Again, because of history (I really hoped IF there was European blood, it wouldn’t be under bleak circumstances). So, amped with this internal monologue, I scrolled.
Here is my attempt to reproduce my train of thoughts:
Three colours??? Wow, there are TWO other groups?? Okay. Erm. What are they? I’M 5% CHINESE?? HOW?? WAIT, THERE ARE SUBSETS! Northern Minority is the most significant what is that?
MONGOLIA?? Wait, it’s not even just Mongolia, it’s INNER Mongolia. How did they end up in India?? Oh, wait! Wait! There are MORE subsets! Western minority (Sichuan and Yunnan) and Northern Han (northern provinces of China in general). Whaaatt? Wait, I talk about Chinese privilege quite a bit and I have that in me? And how much was that again? 5%! 5% is SIGNIFICANT! Significant enough to even be traced back if I did some MAJOR digging but … how??? Oh, wait there was another colour, what was it?? 1.17% South East Asian?? SOUTH EAST ASIAN LIKE SINGAPORE??? Oh wow. Is it kind of full circle for me to be in South East Asia when there’s a part of me that’s South East Asian already and could have otherwise grown up simply in India? This feels more acceptable since people from South India have been to South East Asia historically, we have ties with Indonesia and Thailand, and specifically, Myanmar to this day. But China?? Howww???
That’s pretty much all I can remember. I even briefly wondered if there was an error. Because I just couldn’t see where or how this diversity comes in. Like if you add the two groups, it’s 6.34% of me that’s not South Asian which means it could be one great-great-grandparent who had considerable Chinese (Mongolian) blood with some South East Asian blood. This feels like a more likely scenario to me than somehow having a mix of ancestors to create these percentages. One of my parents has said they have a great grandparent who apparently showed up out of nowhere which was rare for their times. So was that them??? But their name is SO Tamil!! Presumably, they looked Tamil too because the community let them build a temple! And I really don’t think Chinese or South East Asian people can pass off for South Asian features for them to just quietly live among Tamil people passing off as Tamil now, can they??
Then the part of me that likes food was like “Hey, look up Mongolian cuisine and we can see what we can try cooking next time!”
Oh. Okay. Let’s keep this is in the back of my mind and casually research it whenever I have the time then. Surely, they will have at least one vegetarian dish. (Side note, I keep referring to Mongolia because of how it’s a GOOD chunk of me. There’s no love lost on the other ethnic groups!)
On a more serious note, it’s been two weeks since I got these results and it still feels very surreal. I see that there’s a lot more to me than I thought and yet it just feels like another set of data, like how I have a higher predisposition to celiac disease. Have I always wanted to go to the countries described? Well, yes. I’ve wanted to see Angkor Wat for I can’t remember how long now. I’ve wanted to see the boat markets of Vietnam. I’ve been curious about Myanmar and Mongolia. More so Tibet and Nepal to see the people and cultures of the Indochinese border to be completely honest with you. But other than the Gobi desert, “Mongol” meaning brave, a very faint understanding of Genghis Khan, and having the coldest city in the world, I really don’t know much about Mongolia to instantly feel a connection or like a long-lost feeling. Maybe when I’m actually there? I’ve seen people who use DNA tests instantly cry upon meeting a blood relation they didn’t know they had and I think that might be me. But other than the surprise that I have Chinese and South East Asian blood, I really don’t think that it changes how I see myself? It IS very interesting though to think I could essentially have a Chinese great-great-grandparent, and yet all people see when they see me is Indian. I mean prior to this test, that’s how I saw myself too. And in a way, it still is. I don’t suddenly hear things falling into place like when I saw my exercise profile. It just is. If anything, it just reaffirms my belief that we are all connected and if we just stopped to see the similarities in the “other” rather than fixate on the differences, the world could be a much, MUCH better place. When it comes to racial situations, perhaps it’s not just about the whole, it’s about the parts that sum up as well.
Then came personality, intelligence, and such. Now according to CircleDNA itself, this part of the report is where nature vs nurture comes into play. And for reasons you'll soon see, I believe it.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover the “personality traits” section followed the NEO-FFI model – I came across this system when I was doing my degree and LOVED it because I found this to be the most accurate way of describing myself. Back then I scored “high” for openness, and “average” for all the others: agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and extraversion. I would say it’s pretty much how I still see myself today. So, I was really curious to see what my DNA makeup was.
My openness is just balanced? Wait, everything is just balanced? Okay then. But oh, what is this? My conscientiousness is lower than average? Whatever does that mean? I know I have a starting problem with things but I wouldn’t say it warrants a lower than average score. So I clicked on it.
Well, suddenly, my conscientious mood tracking (see what I did there) makes so much sense! I wonder if this is something I should assess just like my gluten intolerance. Also, it was one thing to know I can be a doormat but to see I was wired to be that way?? Yeah, yeah, the results call it easy-going and flexible personality but it just feels like a piece of feel good fluff. I can read between the lines.
Then came “success traits” which measures your intelligence quotient, emotional quotient, entrepreneurship tendencies and a WHOLE bunch of other stuff. Now, before I get to the results, let me tell you how I see myself. I think I’m smart. In fact, I think I’m nothing without my brains. I think I’m compassionate and slightly more empathetic than the average person. I have a head full of dreams and want more from my life. Now, let’s see my results, shall we?
What a load of crock. I mean, the sheer colours of disrespect in my DNA results! There is nothing, not ONE thing, absolutely NOTHING special in my DNA? What the FUCK??? I can accept average creativity because I really don’t see myself as creative. BUT! I have a memory like an elephant – I remember people’s orders from restaurants. I went to “better” schools. I play a license plate game I invented myself when I’m in the car to this day. I did statistics for a living for God’s sake and I’ve been working with numbers since 2013! I’m bilingual and repeatedly tried to learn a third language. I was constantly told in school that I wasn’t living up to my potential and I was MUCH smarter than my grades (which were, get this, AVERAGE). And now my DNA says I’m “normal”? Not one thing was excellent? I’m not even asking for gifted, just excellent? The rudeness. To this sir, I say, I’m not my DNA, I am what I made out of my life and if you looked at my CV you would see I took chances, I worked hard, and I made a name for myself. So screw you, DNA test and your “normal” assessment of my intelligence and entrepreneurship tendency and information processing power, I am a warrior! Your own DNA test said so!
The next section was “Music & Dance” and riding on the heels of “normal” intelligence, I scoffed when I saw this. Two things you should know about me: 1. I learned bharathantyam (Indian classical dance) from the ages of 10 to 14 and then dropped out because I didn’t like it. 2. I tried learning sangeetham (Indian classical singing) from the ages of 6 to 16 or 17. So, what does my DNA say?
I think I cried. I’m not sure, but I DEFINITELY teared up. Is it silly? I said I “tried” learning sangeetham before because I like singing, it made me feel free and was a SOLID stress reliever but I just couldn’t get a teacher. I went through four, all of them had to stop teaching me for a variety of reasons. So, essentially, I would find a new teacher and then restart from square one because they had their own methods and wanted to make sure my foundation aligned with theirs. So, new teacher, relearn basics, progress, teacher disappears, look around for a new teacher. This cycle went on until 2008 when I found my last teacher. I liked her, I progressed in the levels much more quickly (there are essentially two “textbooks” and I only managed to progress to the second one under her tutelage), unlike the others, she got me an opportunity to sing in a temple and I hoped I could stay with her. She passed away in 2009. Throat cancer. It came out of nowhere. Even her family didn’t see it coming. I just gave up on singing altogether after that. Teachers not being able to teach me anymore because they had to move or something was one thing, and I was ready to try again although it was disheartening each time. But a teacher passing away within a year felt too much like I wasn’t meant to learn singing or something. I couldn’t stomach it so I just stopped. Seeing this brought on a storm of emotions. I think I might explore music lessons for adults sometime later this year when I’m more settled in the routine of my new job and managing a blog. Maybe even finally learn the drums like I’ve always wanted to. I have enough plans for this year already so even if I can’t do it this year, we will see. Maybe this time, I won’t give up so easily on a musical hobby.
There was a BUNCH of other data in there about skin, pollution, and stuff like that but considering the length of this post, I will just pick some standout points from my DNA results I find noteworthy to share before I end this off:
I have high risks for wrinkle formation (bye) and skin photoaging (i.e., premature skin aging with repeated exposure to UV radiation. Time to SLATHER myself in SPF then??). I also have higher than average tendencies for stretch marks and cellulite formation. I mean all this just feels rude. Nothing about my hydration levels but just point after point about permanent marks and things I can’t change. Both my parents look considerably younger than their age so where is all this betrayal from my skin coming from?? The only thing I can sort of agree with is the stretch marks because I had my first one when I was 13 or 14 – remember how I said last week that I pretty much became overweight overnight. That. But I have lower than average risks for sunburns and hyperpigmentation though, sooo … yippee.
I have a high risk for acne too. Here’s the thing, I didn’t have this problem during my teens. Like yes, I had quite a lot of pimples and I reeked enough oil from my face to fry samosas but no more than an average teen going through puberty and certainly not enough to warrant a doctor's attention. I am so, so thankful for this because I had enough to be picked on as a teen. Then I read some more and it said: “This condition can affect people of ALL ages” and so, my celebration was cut tragically short. This really was the cherry on top.
I have higher than average pain sensitivity. I didn’t need a DNA test to tell me that because like I said earlier this year, I was the girl who spaced three piercings over two years and don’t like needles.
I am less likely to be thin. Which I don’t get because where did my increased lean body mass go now? Or is it like I will be incredibly fit but just look bulky? Well, there goes my dreams of being short and lanky and “petite” then. So, if people could stop pestering me about being thin now, I suppose that would be great? Because it’s literally written in my DNA that I am meant to be erm… well-built (Apparently 40-70% of our weight is determined by our genetics).
I have a stronger sense of smell than average. So, a stronger sense of smell paired with supertaster, can you blame me for enjoying food? I was designed to indulge in it more than the average person.
I’m less likely a thrill seeker. Again. Didn’t need a DNA test for that. In my world, walking into a restaurant without looking up the menu before is “thrill-seeking behaviour”.
I have higher than average sensitivity when it comes to second-hand smoke (like smoke from cigarettes and such) so time to stop cutting through back alleys to get to where I want quicker.
Under “behavioural traits” which featured “alcohol, food, and smoking addiction”, I scored “less likely” for all 3. I’m also less likely to have an obsession with washing or cleaning. And then there was this which was a slap in the face: I’m less likely to be altruistic. I like to think I’m willing to help. When people stop to ask for donations, I give something. I’ll dig deeper when it’s for food, children and women but I generally try to give something. Soooo one point for nurture?
And I think that just helps to end things on where I stand with this whole CircleDNA experience. It has been insightful but it’s also essentially just raw data and what matters from here is what I make of it. It doesn’t dictate anything, but if you’re stuck about some things in your life, you can use this to make some decisions or to learn a bit more about your capabilities. I think there’s always something to be improved about ourselves. While I did the CircleDNA test to primarily understand how I can make some lifestyle changes, I wanted to use this part of the test to see areas of myself I can “refine”. At the end of the day, life is what you make of it. Like you can have “normal” intelligence but if you’re given the space to be curious and ask questions, you can be more intelligent than you’re predisposed to be. Or, if you have “gifted” intelligence but weren’t given the space to have some drive to thrive, you may not be living up to your potential. Yes, I'm still sore by the normal intelligence results!! How dare my DNA betray me like this?? Anyway, as significant as our DNA can be at play, what matters is our efforts too. It’s kind of like praying, the way I see it. You can’t just pray for a better life and sit there doing nothing. God only helps those who help themselves. So, you can’t just see the positive parts of your results and do nothing. You have to make the effort to make it mean what you want – for all the sections – the below average, average, and above average.
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