Enneagram – Photo Credit: 1001freedownloads.com
I was on Facebook the other day and my friend, Chris, asked for comments about the Disney Parks based on enneagram. There were 56 comments, including mine which was: “What is an enneagram?”
There were quite a few responses to that, too, making me feel a little like a dinosaur, but then I remembered that I was older than everyone who answered and decided I didn’t care. I did want to know what everyone was so excited about though, so I looked it up.
You probably already know, but in case you don’t, it’s a personality test that uses a nine-sided figure in a particular system of analysis to represent the spectrum of possible personality types. In other words, “Mwa, mwa, mwa, mwa, mwa.” That cleared it up.
Then I thought to myself, “Ain’t nobody got time for that.”
That thought was quickly followed by my remembering that I am doing a 30-day blog challenge, so I looked for a free test and hoped for a blog post.
The answers to so many of the questions sounded like both would equally apply to me or neither would apply. I felt like I was getting my eyes examined – does this look clearer? – how about this? I thought I’d go out of my mind. I found myself wanting to get off that crazy train, but I played along for your sake, dear reader.
I would like to tell you exactly what the results of the test were. I’d like to tell you that it opened up my mind to the kind of person that I am. I’d also like to tell you that I should have gone with my first instinct.
I haven’t really cared what classification I am personality-wise for a few decades. It’s one of the benefits of getting older. These kinds of tests have been around since before the internet, but now it’s so easy to take one and account for your actions by your type. For me, taking it was annoying. I’ll tell you why. In my answer there may be a hint for you enneagrammers as to what motivates, or inspires, or drives me to be the way that I am.
The perfectionist in me couldn’t handle it when both answers equally applied and I was still forced to choose only one. We’re talking about degrees of difference that were so small even my eye doctor would struggle.
So, I‘ve decided that I’ll be content with myself and my unconscious patterns. I’ll also try to enjoy the fact that we can be friends even if I don’t know what number I am with all its wind and wings. My results revealed three numbers that were identical. At that revelation, I yelled at my computer, turned it off, and took a nap.
It’s great that we don’t look at life through the same lens. That way we can tease each other, I mean learn from each other.
This is Post #13 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge to post every day in April.
Life on the Lighter Side 
driftingaroundwithbeta
/ April 13, 2019I had a friend who was into that years ago. Apparently it explains lots of things, especially about who we are in relationship with, similar to astrology. “Oh, that explains it, you’re a Pisces!” or “Oh that explains it, you’re a 3 on the Enneagram!” Hope your new glasses aren’t blurry.
Debi Walter
/ April 13, 2019Haha! I wasn’t going to write a post about enneagram and what a helpful tool it is in understanding your spouse—still might do it, but you might only hear mwah, mwah, mwah, mwah. I’ve given you fair warning! 😂
Bonnie Anderson
/ April 13, 2019I love that we’re such good friends despite and maybe because of our differences.
Debi Walter
/ April 13, 2019Of course that’s supposed to say “was”
Bonnie Anderson
/ April 13, 2019Of course. You didn’t have me confused for long!
Martha DeMeo
/ April 13, 2019I must be ancient, I’ve never heard of an enneagram! But I’m fine without it. LOL
Bonnie Anderson
/ April 13, 2019I agree, but I’ll bet you start seeing it pop up now and again. Thanks for commenting.
Jeanine Byers
/ April 13, 2019As soon as I saw your title, I knew your post would be about the Enneagram. I am a type 9, but I haven’t always known it. It can be confusing. And as you’ve said, who cares? If you know yourself and are happy with your understanding of who you are, then who needs a quiz? I think they are fun, though. You said your frustration might suggest a type. I thought of both 1 and 3 for you and wondered if either was one of your 3 possibilities. I couldn’t tell if you felt anxious about narrowing it down, but sometimes the 6 has trouble landing & anxiety is a 6 challenge. Anyway, it was fun reading your post. By the way, some Enneagram experts suggests that we are more than one type, and are actually a tritype (mine is 9-7-4). So having 3 scores that are equal could end up being okay in that sense.
Bonnie Anderson
/ April 14, 2019Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I made a huge mistake of dismissing the website before writing down my results. Yes, I was frustrated! Your comments make me feel better about the whole thing. I know it can be a lot of fun.
RAAckerman@Cerebrations.biz
/ June 30, 2019I’d rather stick with 3 sides 9 just seems less believable :-).
Bonnie Anderson
/ June 30, 2019It’s a complicated world out there, Roy. Yes, I long for the days when there were only two sides to a story!