Overview of the 9 Archetypes and Their Core Lies

• Type 1: The Reformer / Perfectionist

  "I feel flawed, but if I can improve the world, I’ll achieve perfection!"

• Type 2: The Helper / Giver

  "I feel unloved, but by helping others, I’ll finally be loved!"

• Type 3: The Performer / Achiever

  "I feel worthless, but with enough validation, I’ll find my worth!"

• Type 4: The Artist / Individualist

  "I feel ordinary, but through unique self-expression, I’ll feel special!"

• Type 5: The Investigator / Observer

  "I feel inadequate, but by acquiring knowledge, I’ll become competent!"

• Type 6: The Loyalist / Skeptic

  "I feel anxious, but by committing deeply, I’ll achieve safety!"

• Type 7: The Enthusiast / Epicurean

  "I feel deprived, but with enough excitement, I’ll be fulfilled!"

• Type 8: The Protector / Challenger

  "I feel exposed, but by controlling others, I’ll gain strength!"

• Type 9: The Peacemaker / Mediator

  "I feel conflict, but by keeping peace, I’ll find tranquility!"

It's important to note that while these are archetypes, we all have the capacity to relate to each one. However, each individual is primarily tied to one core fixation that influences their behavior most significantly.

What Sets the Enneagram Apart?

The Enneagram differs from other typology systems, like astrology or Myers-Briggs, by focusing not on how you behave, but rather on the motivations behind those behaviors. Individuals of different types may exhibit similar actions but are driven by fundamentally different motivations.

Understanding these motivations can enhance self-awareness, allowing you to feel less like a hamster on a wheel and more in control of your life. But first, you need to identify your type.

Discovering Your Type: The Online Test Approach

My introduction to the Enneagram occurred in my mid-30s when I took a free online test to determine my type. Although I found it easy, a more comprehensive test is certainly worth the investment if you're serious about your discovery.

The results suggested I might be a Type 7 (The Enthusiast) or Type 3 (The Performer). After reading about both, I confidently identified as a Type 7—energetic, fun-loving, and full of plans! However, I later realized I had missed the mark entirely, primarily because I wanted to embody that type.

Simply put, if you find a type appealing or desirable, it’s likely not your true type. The Enneagram reveals your core wounds and hidden motivations, which may be masked by desirable behaviors. For instance, while Type 7s may appear fun-loving, their behavior often hides a deep fear of pain.

If a test yields unclear results and a type description seems alluring, remember that this is merely a surface-level understanding. The core wounds that each type represents are seldom desirable, and if you genuinely belong to that type, you'll feel it deeply.

Recognizing Your True Type: The Discomfort Test

Years after my initial misidentification as a Type 7, I revisited the Enneagram at the suggestion of a mentor. It soon became clear that I was not a 7; I am, in fact, a 3w4. My reluctance to accept this stemmed from the discomfort of facing my truth as an overachiever seeking validation.

The realization that your type might evoke discomfort is crucial. When confronted with your true type, you may feel defensive or resistant. This is a natural reaction of the ego, which does not want its defenses exposed.

The Insight of the Enneagram

Your type is not about your behaviors but about your motivations. For example, Type 3s aren't limited to corporate roles; they are motivated by the desire for validation, regardless of the field. This understanding can reveal uncomfortable truths about ourselves.

The Enneagram encourages us to confront the masks we wear. None of the types are superior; each possesses strengths and weaknesses. When exploring your type, pay attention to which ones unsettle you the most, as they may reveal the areas in need of compassion and understanding.

Beyond Personality: The Enneagram and Self-Awareness

The Enneagram, when combined with mindfulness practices, offers a powerful tool for gaining self-awareness. It helps illuminate the ego's mechanisms and defenses that protect our core wounds. By acknowledging these wounds without fear, we can begin to reduce the energy spent on compensating and defending ourselves.

Realizing that your perceived identity is merely a collection of defense mechanisms can liberate you from your ego's grip. The Enneagram serves as a guide to dismantling the walls that the ego has constructed around your true self.

Questions for Reflection

• What journey led you to discover your Enneagram type? Did you find clarity, or is it still elusive?
• How does it feel to recognize that the traits you associate with yourself might be mere defense mechanisms? What is taken from you in this realization? What is gained?
• Do you recognize loved ones in specific types? How does understanding their core motivations enhance your compassion for them?

This article was originally published in The Afterglow, my members-only publication I created alongside my third book, From Shitshow To Afterglow.