In case your first thought is: What even is an Enneagram?, you’re in good firm, as a result of there are lots of character checks on the market and it’s arduous to maintain up. Right here’s the essential scoop:
Your enneagram quantity is rooted in your defining childhood experiences, and its main trendy operate is for folks to raised perceive learn how to talk with, take care of, and join with each other. It’s extra just like Love Languages than it’s to zodiac indicators, if that’s a useful mind-set about it.
Despite the fact that the enneagram has been round because the Fifties, this particular character check was dormant for some time earlier than seeing a current resurgence. It was created by Oscar Ichazo and encompasses 9 completely different character varieties, or “Enneagram Varieties.” Like different character quizzes, you reply a sequence of questions to find out which of the categories you most join with.
Understanding your enneagram quantity is one other means of higher understanding who you’re as an individual and the way you navigate the world. Identical goes for the folks in your life—realizing your accomplice is a 2, for instance, might help you perceive that on the finish of the day, they’re in all probability emotionally exhausted from a lot people-pleasing. Whether or not you’re an enneagram beginner or a winged professional, we’ve compiled an inventory of enjoyable retail quests to take primarily based in your quantity. Or, for those who’re in search of a present for somebody particular, think about purchasing primarily based on their enneagram quantity—it might simply convey you two nearer.
Enneagram 1: The Reformer
Enneagram Sort 1 is named The Reformer. 1s are rational, purposeful, and idealistic. Striving to enhance their world, 1s could be each smart and heroic. You’ll acknowledge a 1 by the order and group of their lives. Their excessive requirements are admirable, however can even make them be important or resentful of others.
At occasions, a 1’s dedication to their most prized advantage—integrity—can turn out to be so consuming that imposing their model of “the reality” appears extra pressing than absolutely anything else. In actuality, an enneagram 1 is solely attempting to guard themselves from their most elementary concern of being discovered faulty.
In the event you’re a 1 otherwise you care about somebody who’s, search for merchandise that provide steadiness and a way of “goodness.” Contemplate purchasing at a stationary or paper retailer for a crisp month-to-month planner and a contemporary set of highlighters.
Enneagram 2: The Helper
Ah, the common-or-garden and blissful enneagram 2—everybody’s favourite individual. Often called The Helpers, 2s are essentially grounded in an identification of real kindness and compassion. It sounds nice, however in all probability feels arduous—2s are folks pleasers continually hovering over a fantastic line into martyrdom. Completely horrible at conveying their very own wants, 2s reside with a fundamental concern of being undesirable or unworthy.
Know a number or hostess who makes positive everyone seems to be having a very good time? Have a sibling or BFF who all the time turns the dialog over to your life, and away from theirs? Yeah, you understand (and love) a 2. (They love you, too.)An area dwelling decor or specialty items retailer is the perfect place for enneagram 2s to discover (and so that you can decide up a present to your 2). For purchasing 2s, discover peace by looking for objects that create a snug, welcoming setting. In the event you’re purchasing for a 2, search for distinctive items that say “I see you as a person, and I like it.”
Enneagram 3: The Achiever
Success is the secret for enneagram 3s. Generally known as The Achiever, 3s are pragmatic, bold, and aggressive. Their fundamental concern is being nugatory, so it is smart that they’re charming, diplomatic, and anxious about their picture. Having the admiration of others helps them really feel helpful, which might be lots of stress for them to hold round on a regular basis. It additionally helps them obtain rather a lot—Invoice Clinton, Reese Witherspoon, and Tom Cruise are all basic 3s, if that tells you something.
What 3s want is one thing to do to assist them cease being “on” on a regular basis. Knitting, sketching, mountaineering—something that lets them obtain a purpose with out having to be valued for the way charming they had been within the course of. Head to the native craft retailer, health club, or kitchen gadget store to discover a venture for one.
Enneagram 4: The Individualist
Delicate, introspective, and just a bit bit dramatic, enneagram 4s are referred to as The Individualist—and, tbh, rightfully so. They march to the beat of their very own drum. Certain, they’re self-absorbed typically, however they’re simply so themselves that it’s arduous to not love them for it.
A 4’s fundamental concern is that they don’t have any private significance or identification, so being true to who they’re issues rather a lot. Generally that’s displaying their vulnerability, typically it’s their wild coronary heart, and typically it’s stomping their means into being observed. 4s are basic bohemians and aristocrats, each—assume Frida Kahlo, Amy Winehouse, and Marlon Brando.
Exploring the native file store is the right Saturday afternoon exercise for a 4. Curating a playlist and immersing themselves in music will converse to their identity-seeking souls. Getting a present for a 4? Contemplate a wildly beautiful bouquet of flowers, a specialty field of their favourite fantastic goodies, or a shelf to show their many, many trinkets.
Bonus concepts: Pop-up playing cards or a go to to a palm reader would completely delight your 4.
Enneagram 5: The Investigator
An enneagram 5 is named The Investigator. You may know them by their—truly, you may not know them in any respect, so engrossed are they with their work, their concepts, and their tasks.
Steeped in curiosity and depth, 5s are sometimes insightful but simply remoted people. They’re the individuals who assist you to see the world from a brand new perspective, take “large image” stances on points, and love tackling “large concept” problem-solving. A 5’s fundamental concern stems from being unprepared or missing vital data, so their instincts make them attempt to determine every part out—together with why issues are the way in which they’re—as a method to be protected on this planet.
For Investigators who need to strive one thing new whereas staying inside their consolation zones, a visit to a neighborhood museum retailer—yep, retailer—is the right resolution. That’s the place curiosity meets curious content material, interactive merchandise, and imaginative gadgets. Additionally see: That native bookstore run by eccentrics.
Enneagram 6: The Loyalist
Dedicated, enthusiastic, and just a bit bit anxious, enneagram 6s are sometimes known as The Loyalist. 6s are everybody’s favourite workforce member, venture employee, and confidant.
Their spectrum ranges from optimistic and a champion for others to suspicious and reactive—and it is smart, since a 6’s fundamental concern is to be with out assist. You understand the saying “can’t see the forest for the bushes?” That’s a 6, who typically provides full worth to each component of their lives, as a substitute of taking a bigger-picture method. It means they’ll cling to a relationship somewhat too lengthy or go down with the ship that’s (metaphorically) sinking—however it additionally means they’re the one who’s going to genuinely care about each workforce follow, each good friend’s theater efficiency, and each likelihood to be with the folks they care about. Being a 6 sounds…exhausting.
One of many best methods to unwind as an enneagram 6 is to spend time at a neighborhood candle retailer. Even higher—go to a candle-making store and take time to breathe within the completely different scents, actually contemplating which feels probably the most soothing to your soul—not simply the scents you assume will make others blissful. Make a candle to remind your self that you would be able to nonetheless present up for everybody else—however you and your self-care are necessary, too, and that no one desires you to turn out to be burned out.
Enneagram 7: The Fanatic
Enjoyable-loving? Examine. Excessive-spirited? Double examine. Enneagram 7 is named The Fanatic for a motive. Whereas typically scattered and distracted, 7s are joyful, appreciative, and optimistic.
Which sounds superb, however a 7’s fundamental concern comes from being disadvantaged or in ache, so deep down, they’re in search of success. That one good friend of yours who spontaneously booked a solo journey to Europe? That’s a 7 instinctively preserving themselves excited and occupied (even when it means they must eat cereal for a month to afford it).
So, how might a neighborhood retailer presumably mirror the energetic, participating, undisciplined nature of an enneagram 7? We thought the identical factor…till we remembered how a lot good old school enjoyable could be had at a celebration provide retailer. Sure, most individuals solely go to a celebration provide retailer to purchase their annual Halloween costume or the occasional balloon, however these shops are literally a 7’s love language.
From glitter wigs to magic methods, a fast journey to your native social gathering provide retailer will assist you to discover somewhat piece of happiness to please your fave enneagram 7.
Bonus concepts: Skip a fundamental card or reward and ship them one thing that explodes with butterflies, or hit the native music store for a ukulele, or discover a classic store for elbow-length gloves or an important fedora.
Enneagram 8: The Challenger
You probably have an enneagram 8 in your life, likelihood is you’ve already given them this nickname: The Challenger. Unwilling to again down from a troublesome job, 8s are assertive, strong-willed, and assured. …which, tbh, can really feel somewhat domineering in the event that they don’t make an effort to be susceptible. This takes lots of internal work for an 8—so if that’s you, you get excessive marks for creating your EQ. (Simply excessive marks, not a parade. Chill.)
With a fundamental concern of being managed by others, it’s no shock that 8s are continually scanning for methods to take cost of their circumstances and setting. They excel at determining social buildings—whether or not it’s taking up the hierarchy at work or assessing roles on the playground, an enneagram 8 is all the time watching, studying, and mapping out the social constructs of their lives. On one hand, all of this implies having an 8 lead your workforce virtually ensures victory. On the opposite, an 8’s decisive and easy tone can really feel fairly intimidating.
A strong method to channel this confrontational character is thru video games. Enneagram 8s can work by means of difficult feelings, lead groups, and let off some steam, all whereas present inside one other world. With their excessive intelligence and quick-thinking minds, 8s will love digging right into a online game, escape room, technique recreation, or tabletop role-playing recreation (like Dungeons & Dragons, the place you possibly can depend in your 8 to shortly rise to the extent of dungeon grasp).
Take your 8 out for a enjoyable night time at your native recreation store that’s internet hosting a tabletop match, present as much as their place with the newest RPG online game, or ask them that can assist you lastly determine learn how to play mahjong. (Additionally works: Difficult them to sort out a brand new recipe.)
Bonus concept: Are you an 8? Settle into some high quality time with a actuality TV present or actuality competitors sequence that allows you to loosen up by sussing out the person and group dynamics enjoying out onscreen.
Enneagram 9: The Peacemaker
When you consider one thing peaceable, there’s a very good likelihood your mind is conjuring a picture of the pure world. For enneagram 9s, also called The Peacemaker, the instinctive purpose in life is to take care of this internal sense of the chic always. Straightforward-going, accepting, and harmonious, 9s prefer to keep away from confrontation and assist heal conflicts.
Secure, accepting, and at occasions coming off as a bit lazy, a 9’s fundamental concern is loss or separation. That’s why they’re pure mediators, who’re prepared to offer somewhat to realize concord and stability. Morgan Freeman, Zooey Deschanel, and George W. Bush are basic 9s.
9s lean into in search of non secular or common connection, and are in all probability among the most mentally current folks in your life. They’re additionally simply plain enjoyable.
Strolling by means of the aisles of a plant or flower store—or your native botanical backyard—is, truthfully, an exquisite method to spend time along with your enneagram 9. Additionally think about a butterfly backyard, a day picnic, a non-competitive cooking class, or an outside live performance. Wish to maintain it indoors? 9s are very best matches for a brand new portray interest, an grownup coloring e-book, or a soothing dot-to-dot e-book.
