@Latecomer
I agree, I’ve said this for years. They’re all the element of what they want and struggle to be, not what they are. Twilight the Element of Friendship was a friendless shut-in who just wanted to be alone to study. Rarity the Element of Generosity is a posh businessmare and fashionista who’s into luxury. Rainbow Dash the Element of Loyalty has had divided loyalties between Ponyville and Cloudsdale since forever, pranks her friends (including Fluttershy) mercilessly, and would rather nap than do her job for Ponyville’s weather service. Fluttershy the Element of Kindness may have friends, but she really just wants to retreat to her cottage and tend to animals. She is kind, to the animals, but she has a vicious temper, and really doesn’t want to be around anypony else. Pinkie Pie the Element of Laughter is prone to fits of bleak depression and/or rage whenever anything doesn’t go her way, including utterly trivial nonsense she fixates on. And Applejack the Element of Honesty used to be a horrible liar, and has tried many, many times to hide her problems from her friends and family rather than admit she has them. Rainbow Dash is more far more honest than she is, but she’s the Element of Honesty, not Rainbow, because Rainbow has no trouble being honest (just tactful) ever.