Enneagram Resources
The two “dirty E words”: Enneagram and Essential oils. Taking over homes and conversations everywhere…including ours. They either get you talking for hours, or make you roll your eyes, and they’re certainly not for everyone. However, both of these topics have made a big impact on our home, marriage and lifestyle. For those who are intrigued by the Enneagram, keep reading! In this post I briefly explain my journey with the enneagram, how I figured out my number and some favorite resources for discovering yours. I’m not an Enneagram pro or expert by any means, but I am passionate about it and hope that by sharing my experience and what I’ve learned, you’ll also be able to gain something from diving in to the Enneagram.
finding my type
A few years ago, I took some online Enneagram tests and each produced a different result - none of which were accurate. Sometimes I was a 6, others said a 9, and I even got a 3. There are aspects of each number that resonate with everyone, and I can see why the tests picked up those numbers for me. However, they were quite wrong, and despite all of those different results, I’m actually a 1. If you know me at all, you know how true that is. :) There were two main ways I came to the conclusion I was a 1. First, in a book called The Road Back to You, there is a list of statements correlating to the individual numbers at the beginning of each chapter. A friend of ours printed out all 9 lists, and then I went through and highlighted every statement/phrase that applied to me across all 9 numbers. Then, we totaled up my “score” for each. There were low scores for a few numbers, a handful of 0s and then for the 1s, I had highlighted every single line. After that, I read the full descriptions for each number online, and knew deep in my gut that the type 1 was spot on because it spoke truth to things that I’d never verbalized. It was the number that felt the worst and that I liked the least (fun, I know). It felt like someone was reading my deepest darkest thoughts to me and as I dove into the topic and learned all I could about 1s, I was consistently reminded of how accurate it was.
continuing to learn
Learning about being a 1 over the last couple years has been one of the most transforming things of my life. From reading books to listening to podcasts I have soaked in all of the wisdom I can about my number and the other eight numbers as well. It has brought to light significant areas where I can grow and has helped me develop an understanding of why I think, act and feel the way I do. It has also sparked deep compassion and understanding for those around me (who have shared their numbers), as it provides insight into why they do the things they do. It has helped me show grace, and love others they way they were designed to be loved.
finding your type
Ready to dive in and find your type? I would recommend not taking an online test as many claim to be about 80% accurate. (But if you must take a test, I recommend this test). This website and this one have in-depth descriptions of each number. I’d start by reading through all 9 types (the names for each will always look a little different, but the numbers stay the same. i.e. The 1 could be “the reformer” or “the perfectionist”, but both are the same type), and then narrow it down to a few that resonate the most. If there’s one you like the least, it’s usually the one that you are. ;) If you’re stuck between a few numbers, keep reading. There are several strategic ways to narrow it down, and if you have questions on how to figure it out, don’t hesitate to send me an email! I’m always happy to help. At the bottom of this post is a list of additional resources that helped validate my number.
Here are a few of my biggest takeaways and things you should know as you dive in:
Only YOU can figure out your number. The Enneagram is heavily based around what you’re motivated by, and only YOU know that!
Don’t “type” the people around you. The more you learn the more you’ll have the ability to narrow down the options of what someone may be, but to type someone is doing them and yourself a disservice. If you want to know someone’s number, engage them in conversation, ask questions and help them learn their number on their own like you did!
Be willing to learn the other numbers in addition to yours. I can’t tell you how many people have said to me, “I don’t care about the other numbers, I know mine and that’s all that matters.” Learning the other numbers helps YOU grow, helps you love, and have compassion, patience and understanding for the people in your life.
Have fun with it, and have grace with yourself! There are some convicting truths that will surface as you dive in, but it’s so valuable for not only the relationships in your life, but your own growth and development as a human.
resources
BOOKS - I recommend reading them in the order listed below!
Currently reading: The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Self-Knowledge
On my list to read next: The Enneagram - A Christian Perspective
PODCASTS
INSTAGRAM
Disclaimer: Take what you see on social media with a grain of salt. The Enneagram posts you scroll through are not always 100% accurate and not all of them come from certified Enneagram coaches or experts. However, many DO come from the pros, so just be sure to do your homework on the source.
one final note
The Enneagram is not designed for putting people in a labeled/numbered box. It’s a tool we can use to understand different types of personalities and how to love them well (including ourselves). It helps us dive deeper into who we are, being confident in our strengths and aware of our weaknesses so that we can work through them and grow, instead of simply accepting them. Feel free to write a comment below or send me an email if you want to chat more or have questions. I’m an open book!
