Thinking Outside the Box by Enneagram Type
Whether a behavior has a positive or negative impact on your life, it often originates in meeting a real need. So the lists on this post aren’t intended to judge whether you do or don’t do them! It’s all about giving permission to find your type even if the description isn’t a “perfect” fit.
Some people of a certain type may engage in a specific behavior, others may not. Either way, the presence (or absence) of a few behaviors does not make or break your Enneagram type.
This is one of the challenges I’ve encountered with talking about the Enneagram in a short format like Instagram - it’s a lot easier to communicate trite, stereotyped descriptions than it is to actually lend depth and nuance to the types.
When reading this post, you can think about the following: What would you add to your type? What is a “stereotype” of your Enneagram type that is SO you? You can also let me know here on Instagram.
I’ll go first - I’m not proud of it, but I've definitely had a history of only playing games I'm good at. On at least one occasion, I was the kid who went to bed without dinner because she was so mad she lost at Sorry! Yikes! I've grown some, but let's be real: I still much prefer winning! 😆😬
Type Eight
YOU CAN BE AN EIGHT EVEN IF YOU DON’T…
Resonate with the loud / outgoing stereotypes
Engage in intense debates
Feel 100% confident 100% of the time
Some Eights do these things! Some Eights don’t! Reminder: Either way, the presence (or absence) of a few behaviors does not make or break your Enneagram type.
Type Nine
YOU CAN BE A NINE EVEN IF YOU DON’T…
Feel as "easy-going" as other people think you are
Like naps
Shy away from competition
Some nines do these things! Some nines don't!
Type One
YOU CAN BE A ONE EVEN IF YOU DON’T…
Reorganize the dishwasher every day
Consider yourself a perfectionist
Adhere to all the grammar rules
Some ones do these things! Some ones don't!
Type Two
YOU CAN BE A TWO EVEN IF YOU DON’T…
Deliver freshly baked pies to your neighbors
Hug everyone you meet
Gush about how much you love everyone
Some twos do these things! Some twos don't!
Type Three
YOU CAN BE A THREE EVEN IF YOU DON’T…
Feel the need to climb social ladders
Bring olympic-level competitiveness to family game night
Take on more than you can handle in a day
Some threes do these things! Some threes don't!
Type Four
YOU CAN BE A FOUR EVEN IF YOU DON’T…
Have a playlist for every mood
Have a niche creative interest
Express all of your emotions all of the time
Some fours do these things! Some fours don't!
Type Five
YOU CAN BE A FIVE EVEN IF YOU DON’T…
Feel detached from all emotions
Love books
Excel in academic pursuits
Some fives do these things! Some fives don't!
Type Six
YOU CAN BE A SIX EVEN IF YOU DON’T…
Know the location of every fire exit in every room
Focus intently on physical safety
Feel like anything could go wrong at any moment
Some sixes do these things! Some sixes don't!
Type Seven
YOU CAN BE A SEVEN EVEN IF YOU DON’T…
Feel happy and joyful all the time
Love to travel
Act like the "class clown"
Some sevens do these things! Some sevens don't!
If you’d like to see what other people of your type have to say about this post, check it out here!
Want to explore more about the Enneagram and how to apply the Enneagram to your everyday life? My book, Enneagram in Real Life, provides you with a step-by-step guide to use the Enneagram as a practical tool for self-discovery, self-awareness, curiosity, and relational wholeness.
