On Self-Awareness, Becoming, and the Enneagram
By Susannah Richardson
Graphic by Anabel Russo
One of my most favorite words is becoming.
It might have something to do with Michelle Obama’s memoir titled Becoming...have you heard of it?
I read Becoming the summer before my freshman year at NC State, an equally exciting and terrifying time in my life. I felt more myself than ever at this point; I was comfortable moving on from high school while still cherishing all the moments that made it so transformative for me. At first, Becoming seemed like any other enjoyable beach read to pass the time, but by the end of the book (and the summer), I realized just how much I was able to connect with and be inspired by Michelle’s stories on the experiences that made her who she is today. I’ve always valued taking time to reflect and think about personal growth and self-awareness, but this book reminded me that we, as human beings, are able to constantly evolve and become the best versions of ourselves--we just have to be vulnerable enough to step out and take a chance. It’s so important to reflect on, talk about, and discover differences in things like experiences and behaviors. The more we genuinely understand ourselves, the better we can understand and have meaningful interactions and connections with others.
Around the same time that I read Becoming, I was introduced to the Enneagram personality test. The Enneagram is similar to the Myers Briggs Type Indicator personality assessments that you may be familiar with. The major difference between the tests is that the Enneagram focuses on behaviors and traits resulting from experiences that are nestled in your unconscious mind. It also offers insight into fears and motivations as they relate to our behaviors. As a result, it’s a more holistic approach to defining humanity’s patterns in an attempt to understand others. The goal of the Enneagram is not to box you in; it’s actually the opposite! When we learn more about ourselves, we’re empowered to understand why and how the way things are which ultimately empowers us to show up as the best version of ourselves.
The Enneagram is made up of 9 types which are as follows;
1: Reformer
2: Helper
3: Achiever
4: Individualist
5: Investigator
6: Loyalist
7: Enthusiast
8: Challenger
9: Peacemaker
Individuals will fall into one of these broad types and often identify with the characteristics of that number stronger than the other numbers. No single number will ever be able to fully describe an individual, of course, so it’s important to remember that you may relate to several of the numbers!
Within each number, the types are broken down more specifically by outlining motivations and fears of each type.
Below is a link to find out your type and a list of Instagram accounts dedicated to the Enneagram. Taking the Enneagram test for the first time or simply revisiting the concept of it are valuable tools to check in with internal/external experiences, to remind ourselves of the importance of “becoming”, and most importantly to find balance within yourself.
https://assessment.yourenneagramcoach.com/
@enneagramandcoffee
@enneagramandmemes
@ninetypesco