A few years ago, I stumbled into Human Design and I haven’t stopped talking about it since. Ask anyone who’s had coffee with me lately: if we’ve been in the same room for more than five minutes, it’s probably come up.

This system, which pulls from astrology, the I Ching, the chakra system, Kabbalah, and more, gave me language for things I’ve always felt but never fully understood. It helped me build a business that actually works for me. It helped me give my husband more grace. It helped me raise two very energetic boys with more compassion and ease. And most importantly, it gave me permission to rest.

I recently sat down with Erin Claire Jones, one of the world’s leading experts on Human Design, to talk about all of it. Her new book is out this week, and it’s the most accessible, story-driven, practical guide I’ve seen on this topic. Whether you’re brand new to Human Design or already deep into the nuances of your chart, this conversation (and her book) will meet you right where you are.

“You don’t have to do it like everyone else.”

That one sentence pretty much sums up the magic of Human Design.

We’ve all been conditioned in some way; taught that there’s a “right” way to build a business, a “right” way to parent, a “right” way to show up in the world. But the truth is, what works for someone else might leave you totally burned out. Human Design reminds us that we each have a unique blueprint, and when we understand it, everything starts to make more sense.

During our conversation, Erin walked us through the five energy types:

1. Manifesting Generators are multi-passionate powerhouses. They’re fast-moving and need variety. And that’s not a flaw. It’s a feature.

2. Generators thrive on mastery. They’re natural doers, but satisfaction is key. If they’re stuck in a job or role that drains them, it shows.

3. Projectors (like Erin) are guides, not grinders. Their energy ebbs and flows, and they’re here to lead, not hustle.

4. Manifestors (hi, that’s me) are initiators. We’re here to start things, not necessarily sustain them. Rest is essential. So is letting people know what we’re up to before we go and do it.

5. Reflectors are only 1% of the population. They’re incredibly sensitive to their environment, and their clarity comes with time – usually over the course of a full lunar cycle.

I can’t tell you how much changed for me when I learned that I wasn’t supposed to operate like a Generator. I had been trying to do it all, all the time, and wondering why I kept burning out. As a Manifestor, I need space. I need rest. I need to start things and then hand them off. I need freedom. Once I gave myself permission to honor that, my entire business felt lighter. More sustainable. More me.

This work isn’t just
about business. It’s about
relationships, too.

As a mom of two, learning my kids’ designs has been a total game-changer.

One of them is a Manifesting Generator, which means high energy, lots of movement, and a need for variety. He wants to know what’s happening, when it’s happening, and why. (Let’s just say if I forget to give a heads-up before changing the plan, we all feel it.) The other is a Generator, and now I know he needs to fully expend his energy each day in order to sleep well.

These little shifts, understanding how they’re wired instead of trying to force them into how I was conditioned, have made me a more present, less reactive parent.

Same goes for my marriage. My husband’s a Projector, and the minute I stopped expecting him to keep up with my energy 24/7, everything softened. That one insight (he needs rest) shifted the way I show up for him, and the way I show up for myself.

A framework that
helps you feel seen

What I love most about Erin’s approach is that it’s a lived experience.

Her new book “How Do You Choose” brings Human Design to life through stories, case studies, and journal prompts. It’s a practical guide that you’ll return to again and again, whether you’re navigating a business decision, a parenting challenge, or just wondering why that friendship feels a little off.

I got to read it early, and I couldn’t put it down. I underlined, highlighted, journaled, and had so many ahas.

So if you’ve been feeling stuck or scattered trying to figure out what your next move should be, this might be the thing you didn’t know you were looking for.

✨ You can find Erin’s book right here.

Here’s to building a life and business that actually feels like yours.

🎧 Want to hear more? Listen to the full episode now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.