What's Your Enneagram Type?
If you know me, then you know I love a good personality test. I find the results so interesting, and usually spot-on. I took the Enneagram test a while back and recently re-took it to see if my original results were validated.
Spoiler alert - they were.
What's an Enneagram?
If you've never heard of the Enneagram, it's essentially a personality test that puts you into one of nine categories based on how you relate to yourself and the world around you:
- The Reformer - the rational, idealistic type
- The Helper - the caring, interpersonal type
- The Achiever - the success-oriented, pragmatic type
- The Individualist - the sensitive, withdrawn type
- The Investigator - the intense, cerebral type
- The Loyalist - the committed, security-oriented type
- The Enthusiast - the busy, fun-loving type
- The Challenger - the power, dominating type
- The Peacemaker - the easy-going, self-effacing type
When you take the test, you are given an Enneagram type - your main type - and then a secondary result, which is called your wing. This dials into your personality even more.
Like any personality test, I think it's important to note that the explanation can become an easy excuse to validate some of your shortcomings or a way to explain away why you are the way you are. Instead, you should use these results to understand how you work, be aware of what you are good at and what you may struggle with, and also be aware of the other types so you know others strengths and weaknesses as well.
It's also important to understand the difference between how each type perceives themselves and how others perceive them. For example, an 8 type may come across loud and overbearing to some, but to themselves they may think they are coming across as confident or decisive.
What's My Type?
The very fact that I love personality tests should give away my Enneagram number.
Any last minute guesses?
I'm a 4 - the individualist.
Do I agree with this? Absolutely.
From The Enneagram Institute:
Fours are self-aware, sensitive, and reserved. They are emotionally honest, creative, and personal, but can also be moody and self-conscious... At their Best: inspired and highly creative, they are able to renew themselves and transform their experiences.
A four's basic fear is that they have no identity or personal significance and our basic desire is to find that significance. At our worst, a four can become depressed and melancholy.
Basically, a four sees themselves as unique and different, something I can relate to! The older I get, the more introverted I become, and the more in touch with my emotions I feel. I keep this blog, I write in journals, I listen to music and watch movies just to get all the feels. I can certainly be moody, but when I'm at my best, I am creative and passionate. I am very self-reflective and overly self-aware, almost to a fault, but at the end of the day just wish to live a life full of meaning.
"The Aristocrat"
Technically, my Enneagram is a 4w3 - a four with a three wing. These two types tend to conflict with one another. Four's are introverted and self-aware while three's are extroverted and lack self-awareness! However, both ultimately relate to one's self-esteem. Fours with a three wing are competitive and want to make something of themselves, but usually fear success and possible humiliation.
I can absolutely relate with being "The Aristocrat". It's not that I've never felt confident, but when I do, I quickly second guess myself. After reading more about this, it certainly validates my feelings about myself, but more than that, it makes me realize that the fact that I'm questioning myself doesn't have to do with a lack of confidence, but rather an overflow of self-awareness.
If you're interested with this kind of stuff, I suggest taking the quiz and reading more about your type at The Enneagram Institute. You can also find free Enneagram quizzes across the internet.
Leave a comment below and let me know what type you are and if you agree with it! Why or why not?
