If you’re a Markets Person, learning what you resonate with can be a game changer for your quality of life.

Or maybe someone in your close circle is a Markets Person and you want to understand them better — these tips will help you recognize when a Markets Person is comfortable and vibing in their space.

This is great for parents to consider if they have a Markets Kid, as Human Design was initiated so we are better able to support our children.

These suggestions are playful and light; designed to get you experimenting with the space around you in an approachable manner.

If something doesn’t land with you, leave it, and take the rest. Remember these suggestions are not hard and fast rules, but a spacious way to get in touch with yourself.

Design Autonomy/Customizing

Markets People have specific styles, and it’s actually very healthy and supportive for them to engage with their keen preferences. Sometimes it takes them time to seek and develop their style, but they usually have certain areas or topics they are drawn to in their life; whether that’s custom jeans, gourmet donuts, specific knitwear, vegan products or something else. If there’s a Markets Person in your life or you are one, encourage/give permission to indulge in this craving to customize and find just the perfect thing you are drawn to.

Options to sit

Markets People have preferences and I always like to offer them first choice on where to sit. Depending on how they’re feeling or whether they are Markets Internal (Left) or External (Right), they made need to try a couple seats. Or they may know right away. Some Markets People develop a preference and always seek the same seat (that’s my spot on the couch/at the table), but I find it’s great to let them have first choice of all the options. Sometimes they like to choose second depending on where YOU sit. Either way, their comfort is a priority.

“Pickings”

Markets People are very selective with their “picks” and what “pickings” they choose. They are sensitive and aware to seasonal shifts such as what is in season and when something is out of season — be that food, fashion, topics or something else. Keen selection keeps these sensitive individuals supported. The ability to move with the seasons (stay in season) and make “fresh picks” each season is all supportive behaviour for Markets people. They may even just like to browse and shop as a way to feel good and see what’s in season!

The Marketplace

Markets People may love to try new places to find out what’s good — always seeking something new to become obsessed with — but they also may really stick to the things they like. Imagine looking for something and finding it? Why would you deviate after that? Markets People also have this way of knowing whether or not they like something — sometimes even before they try it. “No that place isn’t for me.” But you’ve never been there! “I don’t need to go. I know I won’t like it.” It’s supportive for them to be choosy like this because their bodies require specific energies around them, and they know what these energies are. I have a Markets Sister, and she is amazing at finding the best places to go, whether that’s a new store or renting out a cottage. I have complete trust in her because I know she looks for details that I wouldn’t even think of! Notice what Markets call to you.

Shopping

Shopping or browsing is actually a very healthy ritual for Markets People. When they’re stressed or anxious, it can be therapeutic to browse their favourite stores, or even online shop. It’s not so much about purchasing something, but about the process of looking through things that are pleasing to them. I used to give my sister a hard time about shopping and returning everything she bought. She loves to shop but if it’s not just so or the fit is off or the object doesn’t fit the corner she had planned for it to go in — she has no problem returning it. Whereas I’m often like, eh I’ll make due, I’m lazy. Too much energy to return it (sometimes I return it; I’m generalizing). Lol, my sister WOULD NEVER. The Market is a money-making space and there are often monetary exchanges in these places. However, I’d like to emphasize “exchanges” and not specifically money. Trading, exchanging, sharing, all fall under this area. What used to be, “I’ll trade you these potatoes for that flour” has evolved into entire industries making profit. Money exchanges is part of the Market — but not all of it.

Entrepreneurship

Though anyone can be an entrepreneur, Markets People are drawn to exchanging for their brilliance. “The Market” is a place of trade and exchange, as this was part of our basic survival in early evolution. One person’s skill, craft or ware could be traded or exchanged for money or other goods and this enhanced the life. This allowed the Market Person to get exactly what they wanted. Markets People may be drawn to owning a small business that fits their niche, developing a side project for a favourite interest, or even have a very serious hobby. Usually they enter into some type of money exchange out of their home or externally for something special they do, express or are a part of.

“Picking” favourites

Markets People can get really attached to things. Sometimes as kids this is a certain blanket or stuffed animal, but as they mature it can be a piece of clothing, a certain spot in the home, a way of thinking, always picking the spot in the southern exposure, etc. It’s very healthy for them to have favourites and encourage them in letting you know exactly what they like. I find these are people who reeeeeally customize their homes in some way. Whether that’s needing hempcrete walls, custom arches, picture frame cutouts, marble counters, herringbone floors, tinder frames, finishing and customizing the basement with a bar and golf simulator — you name it. They like the details. For example once they have a favourite look, it’s very natural to want that look customized into your home or living space. I’d go as far as saying that opportunity for customization is super supportive of their nature.

Seasonal shifts

Markets People have a definite flow with the seasons and they are deeply connected to nature in this way, whether they actually enjoy being in nature or not. Some Markets People flow better in spring; some actually come alive in winter, etc. The biggest seasonal connection I noticed in my family was my mother’s tendency to move the furniture around in the house. Sometimes I would come home from school and the living room would be rearranged, or she had swapped the blankets with “winter bedding” as fall deepened. We even kept our summer/winter clothes in cedar chests in the off season. For my sister, she always starts making certain meals and treats with seasonal ingredients, showing she too is in rhythm with the Earth’s shifts. The Market knows what’s “in season” and “what’s fresh”. But most importantly, Markets People have their OWN seasons; season's of life where they are interested in certain things, and then other seasons of life where they’re interested in something else. If you’re a Markets Person, reflect on your life’s seasons and see if you can notice any patterns. This can help you stay present by noticing your current season of life, and when that starts to shift.