I took a short hiatus from the Enneagram study to spend time catching you up with my travels and life. Today, I am returning with the next installment of The Enneagram series using The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron as a guiding text.
Security Number– When Eights are feeling healthy and balanced they lean into the positive attributes of a Two (The Helper).
Stress Number- When Eights are stressed and living in an unhealthy mind space, they take on the less desirable attributes of a Five (The Investigator).
We all have that one friend who is an Enneagram Seven. These are the people who make us smile during tough times. They always seem to see the silver lining and pack their schedules full of events and adventures to indulge their desires as an adrenaline junkie. For me, some of best friends are sevens. Because (as a One) I tend to overthink and find security in following rules, I admire those who swallow their fears and live with a sort of lightness that I could never achieve.
As I read this chapter about Enneagram Sevens I am reminded that just because they seem outwardly optimistic, that Sevens struggle as all of us do with negative emotions. The difference between Sevens and the rest of the Enneagram numbers is that Sevens tend to use energy and experiences to mask the effects of pain, fear, and failure. I am reminded as I read this chapter that although I turn to my Seven friends for comfort in my difficult times that I must allow them space to be negative too.
Reading about Enneagram Sixes this week was difficult.
In the past, I have typed myself as a Six. However, when I’m feeling good and at my best I gravitate more toward a One. This week, personal struggles have brought out some of my most unhealthy traits. In the midst of conflict I tend to exhbit some of the unhealthy attributes listed below. This sentiment of being a Healthy One and Unhealthy Six is not totally aligned to the Enneagram as illustrated in The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron, but whether or not every page is accurate I am loving the way that this book is giving language to my emotions and experiences.
As I continue on my journey of understanding each of the nine Enneagram types, I cross the threshold of half-way this week . I am using Ian Morgan Cron’s book, The Road Back to You, as I explore the attributes of an Enneagram Five, also known as the Investigator.
My father is an Enneagram Five.
There is no doubt in my mind that my genius, computer programmer, quiet, and anti-social father fits the description of a Five to a T. He is the perfect balance for my emotional overloads as a One. Growing up with a Five as a father was amazing. I always felt heard and supported. I also learned to give him solitude and spaces where he could go to recharge. So all of the descriptions below resonate with me and helped draw up the image of my very first superhero…DAD!
Here are some other Enneagram numbers to check out:
This week I am taking a look at the eccentric and unique qualities that make up an Enneagram Four. Not only are Fours masters of creativity, but they long to fulfill a special role in their relationships. In their quest for love, Fours may come on a little strong,
they pack the emotional punch to follow through. Reading about Enneagram Fours in The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron has really helped me to better understand the best ways to interact with the Fours in my life to ensure that I am promoting their mental health by my responses to their projections.
The three weeks I have invested in studying the Enneagram have already been such a blessing in my relationships. Diving into the thinking behind each of these personality types has helped me empathize and understand the people around me. Reading each chapter of Ian Morgan Cron’s book The Road Back to You has helped me to not only add language to my own emotions, but helped me to better communicate with the people in my life.
Last week I explored the purpose of The Enneagram using The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron. You can read up on my Introduction to the Enneagram, but essentially, “It’s full of wisdom for people who want to get out of their own way and become who they were created to be.” (14)
Over the next several weeks, I will be summarizing what I have learned from this text about each personality type. I am a ONE, but it is hard to finally land on your correct number so I recommend reading the book (and not just my notes) before declaring your Enneagram type.
Enneagram Two: The Helper
Triad– The Feeling or Heart Triad (2,3,4)
Security Number– When Twos are feeling healthy and balanced they lean into the positive attributes of a Four (The Romantic)
Stress Number- When Twos are stressed and living in an unhealthy mind space, they take on the undesirable attributes of an Eight (The Challenger)
Over the past couple of years my husband and I have focused on our relationship through the Enneagram, an ancient tool that helps to describe the nine major personality types. When you are able to understand the facets of your own Enneagram type you are able to work on your own mental health, growth, and relationships in a way that is productive and tailored to your motivations and thinking.
For many months, I was convinced that I was an Enneagram Six, however the more I read, the more I am convinced that Enneagram One is more aligned to my fears, securities, and motivations. I have struggled with anxiety for my entire adult life and I think because I have anxious tendencies when I am unhealthy, I saw myself as a Six. But when I am in a place of self-actualization and indulging healthy thoughts I am far less motivated by fear and more focused on being the best version of myself and helping others to do the same.
It can be difficult to type yourself because the Enneagram is based on the why behind your actions and decisions. To look at someone else and know their Ennegram type is to diminish the power of each person to identify their own locale on the Enneagram. We cannot possibly know the driving force behind another person’s decision making and so I caution you against trying to “type” another person. Instead, I encourage you to share all nine types with them and ask them which resonated most with them. You will know that you have found the correct Enneagram number when reading the chapters or infographics about that type feel like reading a diary entry that you could’ve written.
During the next nine weeks, I plan to share what I am learning about each Enneagram type. I will do so using the book, The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron. I really enjoy the format and language used in this book and highly recommend that if you have not yet studied the Enneagram that you start there.
Here is a look at the Enneagram One: The Improver.
Triad– The Anger or Gut Triad (8,9,1)
Security Number– When Ones are feeling healthy and balanced they lean into the positive attributes of a Seven (Enthusiast)
Stress Number- When Ones are stressed and living in an unhealthy mind space, they take on the undesirable attributes of a Four (Romantic)
The Ameri Brit Mom 