**WARNING! LONG IN-DEPTH (BUT ALSO SUPER INTERESTING) POST AHEAD**
Hi everyone! This is a post I’ve been wanting to write for quite some time, and I’m very excited to finally be putting it out into the world. If you haven’t heard of the Enneagram test (and if you’re my close friend, you definitely have heard of it and are probably tired of hearing about it, haha), it’s a personality test which identifies a person’s personality type based on their core motivations in life (emotions, fears, beliefs) and assigns it a number. The numbers run from 1-9, and each number has a name to describe a person of that personality type. Before you're turned off to *just another* personality test, I’m here to tell you all that this thing is legit. It’s not based on astrology like the zodiac, so it doesn’t group people together merely based on the day they were born. While I love my star sign as much as the next girl, I also know to take it with a grain of salt. As far as other personality tests go, many people are fans of the Myers-Briggs test, which I have personally found to be completely confusing and not helpful at all. But I promise you that if you take the Enneagram test, the results will blow your mind with how accurate they are!
You should take the Enneagram test if you are at all interested in understanding yourself or others. If you have a mission of self-discovery, or connecting with anyone close to you, I highly recommend taking it. I’m very much a person who has always been interested in a path of self-discovery and understanding why I function the way I do. The test helped me learn so much about myself and to realize that I am not alone in the ways I feel much of the time. It has helped me analyze and understand patterns in the relationships between myself and my parents, boyfriend, and friends. Truly, the type combination description of how my boyfriend and my numbers typically work together in a relationship is so accurate to us and exposed our negative patterns with each other, allowing us to really learn and grow from it.
To the left is a diagram of the Enneagram. When you take the test, you will end up with one number which dominates above the rest, and then you will most likely (not always) have what is called a 'wing,' or one of the numbers directly to the side of your dominant one. Your wing is secondary and contributes to your dominant personality type, but it also adds important distinction to it. For example, your dominant personality may be a 2, or The Helper, but if you also have a 3 wing, that would make your complete type The Host/Hostess (yes, all the types have fun names!)
Read on if you'd like to learn a bit more about how the system works, what each number means, and an explanation of mine! You may prefer to take the test first and then learn about your results. If so, take this accurate free version of the test here!
Here is the list of personality types and their names:
1- The Reformer (1w9- The Idealist, 1w2- The Advocate)
2- The Helper (2w1- The Servant, 2w3- The Host/Hostess)
3- The Achiever (3w2- The Charmer, 3w4- The Professional)
4- The Individualist (4w3- The Aristocrat, 4w5- The Bohemian)
5- The Investigator (5w4- The Iconoclast, 5w6- The Problem Solver)
6- The Loyalist (6w5- The Defender, 6w7- The Buddy)
7- The Enthusiast (7w6- The Entertainer, 7w8- The Realist)
8- The Challenger (8w7- The Maverick, 8w9- The Bear)
9- The Peacemaker (9w8- The Referee, 9w1- The Dreamer)
It's important to note that no type is better than another. Each type has its own good traits and bad, and the bad traits of your particular type may seem amplified to you and 'worse' than other types. However, I do feel that there are certain types that are misunderstood, more than others. In addition, each type operates at 3 levels (with sub-levels even within the main groups): Healthy, Average, and Unhealthy. The level an individual is at can drastically change how they act. Identifying your level can open your eyes to the way you are operating, whether it is at your best, worst, or somewhere in between, and maybe realize where you could be in life if you work to be your best self. There are also tips on how to be your best, based on your type. (Let me tell you, I felt personally attacked when I re-read the growth recommendations for my type today!) Also, just because you have the same number as someone else doesn’t make you the exact same people. It only means that you likely have similar basic fears, basic desires, and key motivations as that person.
Since I have the most in-depth knowledge about my own type, here's some brief insight into it. I am a 4w3, or The Aristocrat. The recap description from the Enneagram Institute website states: "Fours are self-aware, sensitive, and reserved. They are emotionally honest, creative, and personal, but can also be moody and self-conscious. Withholding themselves from others due to feeling vulnerable and defective, they can also feel disdainful and exempt from ordinary ways of living."
When I first read the description of my type, it sounded really bad to me. It might sound bad to you too, or my own faults might just be amplifying and creating a reaction within me. Moody. Self-Conscious. Disdainful. Not necessarily words I'd like to hear someone describe me. But I can be all of these things. I can be them often. Unfortunately, we often ignore the good that is right in front of us. I have the tendency to do this, which is also a trademark of the 4 personality type. Notice I skipped right over the part where it says I am also emotionally honest and creative? Those are great qualities to have. Being self-aware, sensitive, and reserved are neither good nor bad, and they are part of me also.
You may feel the same when when you read your type description. It's hard to not take it personally, but please try. Please try to celebrate your good qualities, and work hard on improving your bad. I can honestly say I know someone of each type, and no person can be categorized as worse or better than another. I hope you use this as a tool to clearly understand the differences between yourself and others, and use it to cultivate more harmonious relationships. And most of all, I hope that the Ennegram leads you to self-discovery, self-reflection, and self-improvement!
This is the version of the test that I have sent to all my friends and family that is free and accurate. You can also pay for the official test if you are really committed! It's only $12 and you can find it here. Any further information you'd like on your specific type can be found on the official Enneagram Institute website here!
If you do decide to take the test, let me know in the comments, DM me on Instagram, or email me through my profile! I would love to hear your feedback and discuss. Additionally, please get in contact with me if you have any questions about the Enneagram! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
♡, tanna
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