The Enneagram: Part 1
- Apr 5, 2021
- 5 min read
The Enneagram is a personality test that describes how people interpret the world around them and how they manage their emotions. The Enneagram consists of nine "types" that categorize people with how they are motivated, interpret things, navigate their emotions, and shows what people's strengths and weaknesses are when it comes to life itself. Each type has positives and negatives and healthy and unhealthy sides of them. I am not obsessed with the enneagram because I do personally believe it can be idolized. People tend to make excuses for their behavior and responses to things based on their type. They also blame their negative actions and responses on their enneagram type which is not healthy or okay to do, in my opinion. However, I do think it is a very helpful tool to understand yourself but also those around you better. Throughout this blog, I will be describing the first five enneagram types briefly and providing links for you to learn more in-depth information about each type.
Type 1 on the enneagram is the Perfectionist. Type 1s are people who are very idealistic, self-disciplined, responsible, ethical, who feel like they are obligated to improve themselves and the world around them. They are very focused on making sure everything they do is done perfectly and at the best of their ability. Type 1 is also often called the Reformer. They have a "sense of mission" and are people of practical action who wish to be useful in the sense of the world. If they do not complete something in a "perfect" way they become very discouraged in who they are. The Enneagram Institute states that their basic fears are "of being corrupt/evil or defective" and that their basic desire is "to be good, to have integrity, and to be balanced". They strive to be right and to improve everything in their own life but also in the world as a whole.
When you ask a Christian female what Enneagram type they are, do not be surprised if they respond saying, "I am a type 2". They could definitely be a type 2 but I also wouldn't fully believe it until you truly get to know them and then you can personally determine if you think they are or not. A lot of Christian girls want to be known as a type 2 because type 2's are known as being the selfless, kind-hearted, loving people. Which yes that is true but there is so much more to a type 2. I myself am a type 2 and to be completely honest with you, I don't always like being a type 2 but it's who I am and I can't change it. Reading through Enneagram Institution in the type 2 section, they stated that "Twos are empathetic, sincere, and warm-hearted. They are friendly, generous, and self-sacrificing, but can also be sentimental, flattering, and people pleasing. They are well-meaning and driven to be close to others, but can slip into doing things for others in order to be needed." which isn't super healthy. Enneagram Institution also states that their basic fears are, "being unwanted and unworthy of being loved" and that their basic desire is, "to feel loved" Two's are very selfless people who truly want the best for others and focus a lot on other's wants and needs which is great but can also be very detrimental to their own personal mental health. They tend to forget about putting themselves first and focusing on what they need. Self-care is very important but type two's usually forget to focus on that. Each type has a spiritual sin as well and type 2's spiritual sin is pride. They struggle with pridefulness and possessiveness. As I said earlier, all types have positive but also negative parts of them.
When I think of a type 3 I think of people who are very competitive. I think of energetic, curious, and determined people. I honestly don't know a ton of threes personally but the type threes that I do know, I get along with very well and think they are great people. Enneagram Institution states that three's basic fears are "being worthless" and their basic desires are "to feel valuable and worthwhile". It also states that type threes are "self assured, attractive, and charming. Ambitious, competent, and energetic, they can also be status-assured and highly driven for advancement."They are people who strive to feel affirmed, to have the attention, to impress others. They aren't necessarily selfish people, they just want to show their best selves in all they do, especially when interacting with others.
I personally thought I was a four for awhile before I completed multiple enneagram tests and looked further into the enneagram as a whole. When I think of a type four, I think of someone who is very independent and doesn't like to follow the norm. They are their own person and does the total opposite than conform. I personally feel like fours stand out as being "different" and definitely their own person by how they dress and honestly just show they present themselves. According to Enneagram Institution, "Fours are self-aware, sensitive, and reserved. They are emotionally honest, creative, and personal, but can also be moody and self-conscious." The Enneagram Institution also says that type fours "Want to express themselves and their individuality, to create and surround themselves with beauty, to maintain certain moods and feelings, to withdraw to protect their self-image, to take care of emotional needs before attending to anything else, to attract a "rescuer." I found that very interesting but also not very surprising. The basic fears and desires of type fours are "That they have no identity or personal significance" but have the desire "To find themselves and their significance to create an identity." All of that just makes sense for a four in my opinion. I don't have much of an explanation behind it on why, but it just makes sense.
When I become friends with someone and get to know them, I usually ask what their enneagram type is or guess what type they are in my head. Out of all the people that I have met and created relationships with, I have met one enneagram type 5. Fives are very rare. At least I think they are, but fives are also more isolated and reserved and I am a very outgoing person so maybe I just don't run into many fives because we are pretty opposite when it comes to interacting with people. According to Enneagram Institution, type fives are "perceptive, innovative, secretive, and isolated". The first thing I think of when I think of type fives on the enneagram is how they are more quieter people who like to observe the room they're in and those around them more than conversing and interacting with them. Enneagram Institution also states that "Fives are alert, insightful, and curious. They are able to concentrate and focus on developing complex ideas and skills. Independent, innovative, and inventive, they can also become preoccupied with their thoughts and imaginary constructs." I am very different than a type five but part of me wishes I was more like a five. They are very interesting to me and I am very intrigued in how they act and process the world and life around them. Enneagram Institution also says that their basic fears are "Being useless, helpless, or incapable." and that their basic desires are "To be capable and competent." A type five isn't a very common type for people ... or is it?
Come back in a few weeks to read part 2 of the Enneagram! In part 2, I will be talking briefly about types six through nine. I will also state a few different valid and popular Enneagram Personality Tests you could take online to discover what type you are, so be looking forward to that!
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