What the Heck Even IS the Enneagram, Anyway?

Hey y’all! I’m Taylor (some know me as Posey) and I’m a pal of Natalie’s. She asked me to do a blog takeover while she’s off galavanting the globe and so ... Here we are. Supppppp?!

Natalie gave me creative control to write about whatever tickles my fancy... and that thing is currently: the enneagram. I know, I know — the enneagram is having a MOMENT right now.

Here’s a brief summary of what the enneagram is: It’s an ancient model of the varying and interconnected personality types. There are nine principal types (Type 1 - Type 9). Each type is accompanied by a “wing,” meaning it picks up traits from the numbers neighboring the principal type. For example, I’m a type 4 with a 3 wing. 4s will have either a 3 wing, a 5 wing, or both, as those are the types that neighbor the 4. The enneagram is drawn as a circle, and the only complication is understanding that 9 and 1 are neighbors that close that circle. It’s important to note that EVERY type has strengths and weaknesses, and no type is better than the other. 1s don’t mean first place and 9s don’t have the most. We are interconnected and equal.

There are subtypes to each number and its wing variant, which showcases an accurate overview of how a person thinks. And trust me, the combinations of personalities end up being as personalized as the snowflake your Mom promised you you were! (Thanks, Mom!)

I’ve been studying my enneagram number for a long time, but (embarrassingly) just realized how helpful of a tool it is to better understand the various relationships I have in my life. I feel like I cracked open my husband for the first time in like, A DECADE!

Now, in case you think this is hocus pocus, I FEEL YOU. I am a cynic to my core, but I was sold because of how (SCARY) accurate the results were. Like, my private and most inner thoughts were spelled out in black and white - the kinds of thoughts I have, how I feel when I’m doing great - and how I feel when I’m struggling. It was (and is) SO ME that sometimes I’m in disbelief. Is the world spying on me? Is this the Truman show? How did the enneagram KNOW? So yeah, I’m sold — skeptical soul and all.

Original Artwork by Taylor ‘Posey’ Thompson

The enneagram is a tool that can be used by everyone. My favorite book, The Road Back To You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile focuses a lot on how knowing your inner self is a gateway to God. Ian Morgan Cron is a former pastor and relates the enneagram to his personal faith a lot. This being said, my staunch atheist father in law is also a big fan. It fits no matter your background, or belief system. It’s for all of us! And as Ian Morgan Cron says in the book (I’m paraphrasing this, don’t quote me), “The enneagram is not a way to box a person in. It exists to show us that we were already in a box, and the enneagram provides a way out.”

I’ve had a lot of friends ask me, “How do I find out what type I am?” The short answer, is you take some tests. For some, results happen quickly. Others struggle to identify their type for months on end. Snowflakes, friends. Snowflakes. Here’s my go-to suggestion (and take it as advice from a friend, I’m not an expert here): Go online and research “free enneagram test”. Or if you’re a big spender, pay to take one, too. (I’ve done both) The internet has 4 gadrillion (real number) resources available, but I’ll be sure to link my favorites below. Typically after taking a test, you’ll test high as 3-4 differing types. My suggestion: One test is not gospel, take several. Track your results. Then, dive in head first and research the types you tested high as. It’s okay if you feel like you relate a little to all of them - you’re supposed to. Remember that it’s an interconnected network and you do in fact have traits from each type - we all do! But this method will help narrow down your primary type. For me, when I read about 4s it was - well, kind of invasive! But also really comforting. I felt SEEN.

If you’re interested in learning more, there are so many ways to learn from podcasts, to social media accounts, books and websites. There is a bounty of information too technical for me to get into right now but it feels like peeling an onion with limitless layers. (I could write for every second of Nat’s trip and STILL not cover it all!) If you’re interested in my eager, interested, yet novice understanding, follow along on my IG page @officiallyposey. I routinely draw enneagram infographics that are lighthearted and heavy handed in the pun category. Sometimes insightful, often just silly.

The enneagram has transformed how I communicate with my husband, friends, and family and has offered insight on how to better understand those who I might not see eye to eye with (I’m looking at you, Mr. President)! Hope to stay in touch, but for now I’ll leave with a parting gift of some of my fav resources.

Favorite online tests:

https://www.eclecticenergies.com/enneagram/test (I like this site because it offers two approaches to the test!)

https://www.9types.com/rheti/index.php

https://tests.enneagraminstitute.com (And the mac Daddy, big spender special - which full disclosure, I have absolutely taken!)

Books:

I can only cop to having read one official enneagram book, The Road Back To You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. However Chelsea Handler wrote a very insightful (and totally different flavor than her typical comedy shtick) book called, “Life Will Be The Death Of Me” in which she details her own enneagram journey.

Podcasts:

Typology
Enneagram and Coffee
Enneagram for Idiots
Life Will Be The Death Of Me with Chelsea Handler

Favorite instagram accounts:

@enneagramandcoffee
@enneagramandmemes
@rudeassenneagram
@enneagramashton
@enneagramexplained
@brushandbarley

Thanks for sticking around for my ramblings! so What’s your enneagram number?

Taylor ‘Posey’ Thompson

Flailing through motherhood, laughing (too) hard at dad jokes, Lizzo lover