Personally, I don’t really believe in horoscopes. There is something so general about them that has never really rung true to me. Somehow, they all seem to follow the same formula, and they just switch up a few words here and there, and they all read something like this: Were you born within these dates? Then X, Y, and Z are going to happen to you this week,” and then X, Y, and Z are just reworded to sound different in each horoscope (even though they’re not really saying anything new).
Naturally, once I figured out that I wasn’t a huge fan of the horoscope, I moved on to personality typing. I always figured that personality typing was a little bit more, you know, personal. I really liked this method of personality typing for a while, but the more I thought about it, I didn’t love the fact that I wasn’t the one in control of how I was being identified.
Enter: The Enneagram. About a year ago, a good friend of mine and I were having one of those amazing 2a.m. conversations (you know the kind) when she mentioned something about the Enneagram. She was talking about how she identified on the Enneagram chart, and something she said struck a chord with me.
While we were talking about the different types of Enneagrams, she told me that the personality type description that hurts you the most, or that you feel the most deeply when you’re reading it, is most likely the right one for you.
Learning about the Enneagram has been so much fun and so eye opening for me, and I hope it will be for you too.
- Type #1: The Reformer
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The reformer usually has a very strong sense of right and wrong, and they are always striving to err on the side of being right. Reformers usually tend to be what we would typically think of as a “type A personality”: organized, high achieving, perfectionist, etc. The basic fear of the reformer is that they will somehow end up being corrupt or defective, and the basic desire of the reformer is to maintain a balance between being good and maintaining integrity. And now, to lighten things up, here’s a meme that most Reformers will relate to on a deep level:
- Type #2: The Helper
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Type twos are usually referred to as the helper because they are focused outwardly most of the time. Being a 2 myself, I can honestly say that I struggle to maintain a balance between helping others and helping myself. Helpers are usually described as being warm-hearted, friendly, self-sacrificing and sentimental. I don’t know if this applies to any other twos out there, but I have quite often described myself as an emotional sponge – I tend to take on the burden of other people’s emotions in an attempt to help them in the slightest. The Helper’s basic fear is that they are unwanted or unworthy of being loved, and their basic desire is to feel loved. Now, here’s a meme that struck me to my core:
- Type #3: The Achiever
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Achievers are usually attractive, self-confident, ambitious, and energetic. Achievers are usually conscious of their status and are actively seeking advancement. Occasionally, achievers can become overly concerned with their image, and they can easily fall prey to workaholic tendencies and competitiveness. An achiever’s basic fear is that they are worthless, and their basic desire is to feel valuable and worthwhile.
- Type #4: The Individualist
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The Individualist is usually reserved, but also very self aware. Individualists are usually emotionally honest, and personal, but they can also become moody and self conscious. When an individualist is at their best, they are most likely to be described as highly creative. An individualist’s basic fear is that they have no identity or personal significance, and their most basic desire is to create an identity that is entirely their own and significant. If you’re an individualist, this meme probably hits close to home:
- Type #5: The Investigator
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Investigators usually tend to be curious and insightful. Investigator’s emphasize the importance of complex ideas and skills and thoughts. Investigators can be innovative and inventive, but they can also easily get caught up in their own thoughts. When they are in their head too much, Investigators usually become high strung and intense. The basic fear of an Investigator is that they will be found useless or incapable, and their most basic desire is to be found capable and competent.
- Type #6: The Loyalist
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The Loyalist is a very committed and security-oriented person. Loyalists are often reliable and hard working, and they make for amazing trouble-shooters. Loyalists excel at foreseeing problems and creating cooperation. They can easily become defensive and anxious. Loyalists usually have problems with doubt and suspicion, but when they are at their best, a loyalist is self reliant and courageously championing for themselves and also others. The basic fear of a loyalist is that they will be without support and/or guidance, and the basic desire of a loyalist is to obtain that security and support.
- Type #7: The Enthusiast
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Enthusiasts are your typical extroverts. Enthusiasts are often optimistic and spontaneous, and they can be described as playful yet practical. Enthusiasts can easily become over-extended, scattered, and undisciplined, but they are always seeking new adventures. At their best, an Enthusiast focuses on worthwhile goals which helps them feel appreciative and satisfied. The basic fear of an enthusiast is that they will feel deprived and in pain, and their most basic desire is to feel satisfied and content.
- Type #8: The Challenger
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Challengers are usually self-confident, strong, and assertive. The Challenger is usually decisive, but can also become ego-centric and commanding. Challengers often feel the need to control their environment (especially people), and they can become confrontational or intimidating. The Challenger’s basic fear is that they will be harmed or controlled by others, and their basic desire.
- Type #9: The Peacemaker
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Peacemakers are very trusting, accepting, and stable. The peacemaker is usually creative and supportive, but are often too willing to go along with things just to keep the peace. Peacemakers want everything to go smoothly, but they can become complacent or simplify problems just to find a solution. The basic fear of a peacemaker is of loss and separation, and their basic desire is to find inner stability or peace of mind. For any peacemakers out there, this meme probably speaks to you on a spiritual level.
All in all, the Enneagram fascinates me because it gives the most consideration to how you personally identify yourself, while also taking away a certain amount of control. The Enneagram strikes the best balance.
For more information about each of the Enneagram types, go to The Enneagram Institute’s web page.