I used to see the word Enneagram quite often on social media. I knew it was a method of personality classification, but I was never interested in identifying myself with it let alone taking the test. I was pretty sure I would never find a type that I felt described me. I've taken personality tests before and more often than not, I fail them. I came to believe my personality is too diverse to be put into a box.
When my friend sent me the test to take, I rolled my eyes. However, because I didn't want to offend her, I just decided to take the test, certain that I would be dissatisfied with the result. And I was. I got Enneagram 4 - Envy. Never in my life had a personality test been so wrong about me. Never before had my assigned personality been described in such negative terms. I also got results nearly as high in about 3 other Enneagram types, so I was sure I was anything but a 4. So I told my friend I felt I was more of a type 1 than a 4. A few weeks later, she sent me a video by Dr. Tom La Hue (look him up) describing the type 4 in depth and I finally understood why I was definitely a 4 and not any other type. It was the most accurate description of my personality I have ever encountered. I found it very interesting. The most hilarious part was learning that my aversion to personality tests is actually a type 4 trait!
Learning about my Enneagram type has been very beneficial to me as a type 4. It has helped me to understand myself better; to understand why I constantly live in my thoughts and why my feelings run deep; why I take time to make certain decisions or begin certain tasks; why I'm constantly on a search for my purpose in this world. It helped me to realise that I'm actually a "glass is half empty" person and that I sometimes come off as a Negative Nancy. It made me realise (albeit in hindsight) that some decisions I made in the past weren't as objective as I had thought, but rather emotional. It has made me see myself in both a positive and negative light.
In learning about and understanding my personality better through the Enneagram, I have grown to be more patient and kind to myself. I have been able to understand what habits and traits need to be reigned in or curbed. The Enneagram has also helped me to be more accepting of and patient with people. By understanding the different traits and thought processes of the other enneagram types, I am able to understand and sometimes even predict the behaviours and reactions of the people in my life. Rather than expecting them to handle situations the same way I do, or take it personally when they don't, I am learning to take a step back and let them do it their way. Unless it's unhealthy and harmful, of course.
I would encourage every single person to give the Enneagram a shot and get to know themselves better. Self-knowledge is a necessary ingredient in self-mastery, which is necessary to succeed in any aspect of our lives.
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