I love the Enneagram. It truly offer insights into our motivations and desires that I have not found in other personality tests. It acknowledges the strength of each profile when we are functioning at our best. It also highlights behaviors to be on alert for when we have deteriorated into not functioning as well as we could.
As an Enneagram 1, I have invested time in my faith, learning, growing, reading, yoga, outdoors, and working as we respond to COVID-19. I don’t struggle with solitude, but I know everyone is not that way. We all want to feel valued, and we all want to be connected to some extent in a way that is not being controlled by forces outside of our control.
During these times of social distancing, I wanted to offer some reflections for each Enneagram Type and options to cope with our current, new normal. Here’s a quick test to learn which type you are. When you have more time, check out all the details and resources from the Enneagram Institute.
Let’s talk about who’s thriving right now and strategies to cope if this is a tough space to be in. Do you love this time of near isolation? Have to remind yourself that, yes, it is still important to connect? Here are types that are likely thriving at this social distancing thing:
- Type 1, the Reformer: The Rational, Idealistic Type. Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic
- Type 4, the Individualist: The Sensitive, Withdrawn Type. Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed, and Temperamental
- Type 5, the Investigator. The Intense, Cerebral Type: Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive, and Isolated.
Here are the types that may need some additional support right now during this time of social distancing. Here’s who I’m probably talking to:
- Type 2, the Helper: The Caring, Interpersonal Type. Demonstrative, Generous, People-Pleasing, and Possessive
- Type 3, the Achiever: The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type. Adaptive, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious
- Type 6, The Loyalist: The Committed, Security-Oriented Type. Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious
- Type 7 The Enthusiast: The Busy, Fun-Loving Type. Spontaneous, Versatile, Distractible, and Scattered
- Type 8 The Challenger: The Powerful, Dominating Type. Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and Confrontational
- Type 9 The Peacemaker: The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type: Receptive, Reassuring, Agreeable, and Complacent
I tell my audiences that it is core to replace one behavior with another if you are faced with change. The change is necessary, and sometimes forced, but either way, is required. Decide how you will adapt to the new normal so that you are not faced with depression or anxiety in the future. How can you build relationships through group video calls? Group events? Can you replace activities with organizing your home or spending time outdoors with family? You have options to remain socially engaged. You just have to do it differently.
Live Well is a women’s empowerment lifestyle brand focusing on mental health, money, and motherhood. Established in 2010 by Dr. Jenn Edwards, Live Well specifically helps women avoid burnout, holistically invest, and parent with resilience. Jennifer is a wife, mother of two children, scientist, author, speaker, professor, and fourth generation entrepreneur.
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