The Five Elements of Relationships: How to Get Along with Anyone, Anytime, Anyplace

by Vicki Matthews

Discover surprisingly simple ways to get along better with anyone, anytime, anyplace.

Do you ever wonder why some people just rub you the wrong way? Or why you automatically click with others? Or maybe you even ask yourself, “Who am I, really?” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could understand why people are the way they are—and even better understand yourself?

Now you can! And it’s simple and fun! Based on the ancient Five Elements model from Chinese medicine, Dr. Vicki Matthews has developed a simple way to describe our five basic personality types and the predictable ways in which they interact. In this book, she helps you Take your first step toward happier and more harmonious relationships in every area of your life—including a better relationship with yourself! The result of years of personal and professional experience, this invaluable book can improve every relationship you have and make your life better!

336 pages, Paperback

Published July 5, 2022

About the author

Vicki Matthews is an author, teacher, and naturopathic physician passionate about re-establishing balance at all levels of life. She has been an outspoken advocate for alternative healing and spiritual pursuits most of her adult life, and has appeared as a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show twice to share aspects of this message. She is also the author of the award-winning novel, The Goddess Letters, which addresses cultural imbalances in our world.

Reviews

[Camilla Nourie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personality tests are a personality trait of mine at this point. One of my work friends recommended this book. The five elements of relationships is Chinese philosophy, and this book focuses more on each element and the relationships with each other in nurturing and controlling cycles. It does not talk about the origin/study of the philosophy, but always love a new way to think about relationship dynamics

[Feng Ouyang · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has an intriguing theme: people are mapped to the “five elements” of Chinese philosophy based on their personalities. People with different personalities are prone to conflicts, but we can leverage the dynamics between different personalities to achieve balance.

I read until the first part of chapter 3, where the author delves into detailed analyses of the five personalities. Instead of using Chinese philosophy as a helpful metaphor, the author takes it literally. In analyzing the “water” personality, the author refers to many qualities of water, such as shape-less, calm, etc. However, as a guidebook of characters beyond the general principles outlined in the last paragraph, the author provides no supporting evidence on why the personalities are dissected this way and why multiple characteristics (such as thoughtfulness and flexibility) belong to the same set. The author invokes methods such as meditation, colors, and scents to balance and replenish the water personality.

At this point, the book appears to be a folk-therapy type instead of a fact-based study. So I stopped reading.