Your Enneagram Might Hold The Answer To Your New Year's Resolution
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If you feel some hesitancy towards making New Year’s resolutions — you’re not alone. We’ve all made goals that we feel certain about on January 1st, only to let them slip by Valentine’s Day. If you’re ready to break the New Year’s Resolution curse, consider basing your “New Year, New You” goals on your Enneagram.
Not familiar with the Enneagram? It’s a personality tool consisting of nine different types and their motivation styles. Each type has a unique basic desire and basic fear that drives many of their life decisions. (Take a free test here.)
By bringing awareness to how you make decisions and what motivates or dissuades you, you can create a New Year’s resolution that is as unique as you are.
What’s an Enneagram?
Simply put, an Enneagram is a personality type. According to the Enneagram Institute, everyone falls into one of nine personality categories. Although we all grow and change throughout our lives, the Enneagram Institute believes that everyone is one personality type for their life, through and through.This constant means that an Enneagram is a great way to curate lots of everyday things for yourself.
We’ll dive into what makes each of these personality types unique down below!
Enneagram 1: The Reformer
Do something spontaneous
Mantra for the Year: I am a work in progress.
Where would the world be without Type Ones? As a One, you are conscientious and ethical; you advocate for change and are constantly trying to improve things. You have a strong desire for justice and hold yourself to a high standard of excellence.
On the other hand, however, Ones tend to be hypercritical or overly perfectionist. This year is the year to face that inner-critic head-on. Settle on a timeline for yourself, whether it's once a week, a month, or just one big spontaneous action. Once you’ve settled on something that you feel comfortable with, you can begin to work toward your spontaneity. This will allow you space from your inner-critic and freedom to be yourself.
Tip: If you find yourself becoming frustrated or judgemental of yourself during this process, remember, you’re constantly evolving. No one does anything perfectly on the first try–even you! You may find that stream of conscious journaling is a helpful way to talk to your inner critic and learn where those feelings of perfectionism originate.
Enneagram 2: The Helper
Take up a new hobby–just yourself!
Mantra for the Year: I’m allowed to come first.
Anyone who has a Type Two in their life is lucky. As a Two, you are empathetic, warm-hearted, and generous. You love to express your feelings for others, give, and be appreciated. However, Type Twos often can slip into doing things for others in order to be needed or to get others to respond to them. They tend to play the martyr and may struggle with possessiveness. Type Twos also tend to focus on everyone except themselves, neglecting their own emotional needs.
Instead of putting everyone else’s needs before your own this year, take the plunge into something that you’ve been wanting to do for years. Whether it’s dance lessons, pottery classes, or something else, invest in a new hobby that will make you happy. What you do doesn’t matter; what matters is that you learn about yourself outside of other people. Getting in touch with your own needs won’t just benefit yourself; it will help you love others better, too.
Enneagram 3: The Achiever
Enjoy where you’re at!
Mantra for the Year: I am focusing on the journey.
If anyone is going to get something done, it’s a Type Three. As a Three, you’re self-assured, ambitious, and competent. You are typically charming and enthusiastic and love to set and accomplish goals. On the flip side, Type Threes can hold a subconscious belief that their worth is based on their achievements and have issues with competitiveness or workaholism.
This year, your resolution is simple: don’t have one! Instead of stressing yourself out to meet a goal, give yourself forgiveness to not meet a goal. This way, you won’t be fixating on a resolution that you might not have the drive to finish before February. By letting yourself off the hook this year, you’ll be giving yourself the best gift of all: the ability to relax and enjoy the journey.
Enneagram 4: The Individualist
Focus on strengthening your relationships
Mantra for the Year: I am loved by others.
There’s a reason Type Fours are known as the sensitive, artist type. As a Four, you are emotionally honest, creative, and inspired. You love to express yourself and your individuality, and appreciate all the beauty the world has to offer.
On the flip side, however, Fours can be moody and self-pitying. In their pursuit of individuality, they tend to have a disdain for ordinary ways of living. The basic fear of a Four is that they have no identity or personal significance.
Instead of immersing yourself in your own creative universe, work on building your relationships with your loved ones. Set aside a portion of your time to spend some one-on-one time with those you care about. Whether it’s one relationship or many, the simple act of spending time with someone you love will help to brighten your year.
Enneagram 5: The Investigator
Explore the world around you.
Mantra for the Year: I am an active participant in my life.
Some of the world’s most forward-thinking minds are Type Fives, including Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerburg. As a Five, you are alert, insightful, and curious. You are able to concentrate and develop complex ideas and skills, and are usually independent and innovative. You desire to be a capable and competent human. However, Fives can also become detached, high-strung, and intense. Their constant desire to understand the world can be used as a defense mechanism against threats from their environment.
Sometimes, Fives can be a bit passive in letting the world around them pass by. Rather than simply living, take the new year as a chance to start thriving. Make it a goal to get out and explore! Take this as your sign to finally book that trip to the city you’ve always wanted to visit or just simply head to the other side of town. Participate in your life, rather than just observing.
Enneagram 6: The Loyalist
Take up journaling.
Mantra for the Year: I surrender the struggle.
If you want a solid, loyal friend — look no further than a Type Six. As a Six, you are committed, reliable, and trustworthy. Sixes are excellent “troubleshooters,” as you are able to foresee problems and think of solutions before they happen. However, Sixes can also be indecisive and anxious, and struggle with self-doubt and suspicion. A Six’s basic desire is to have security and support.
This year, instead of hyper-focusing on what could go wrong in your relationships with others, focus on creating loyalty for yourself. Journaling is a great way to tap into your inner emotions and thoughts, allowing yourself to release any feelings that no longer serve you. Surrender your negative emotions and allow yourself to give up the struggle. You’ve got this!
Enneagram 7: The Enthusiast
Work on slowing down.
Mantra for the Year: I can embrace stillness.
Type Sevens are often the life of the party, but they’re a lot more than that. As a Seven, you are optimistic, playful, and versatile. You see life as your buffet, and you want to try a bite of everything. Sevens love seeking new and exciting adventures, and are constantly seeking a feeling of freedom and happiness. On the other hand, Sevens can become distracted and impulsive. They busy themselves to avoid feeling pain or boredom, and can become over-extended, scattered, or undisciplined.
As a Seven, you have the tendency to overindulge–that is, enjoy too much, too quickly. Rather than constantly going for the next best thing, try and create stillness in your everyday life. Embracing stillness and slowing down your life can allow you the space to find newfound joy in the day to day.
Enneagram 8: The Challenger
Learn to delegate.
Mantra for the Year: I do not have to do this alone.
If there’s anyone who will confidently take charge, it’s a Type Eight. As an Eight, you tend to be confident, assertive, and straight-talking. You pride yourself in “telling it like it is” and you are protective and resourceful. At their best, Eights can be heroic and inspiring. However, Eights often feel like they must control their environment, and can become controlling or domineering. They may have trouble being vulnerable and as a result may come across as intimidating.
Instead of stretching yourself too thinly, let yourself lean on the other people in your life. Delegating tasks is not a sign of defeat–it's a sign of strength! Acknowledging your limits is the ultimate sign of bravery. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help every now and then.
Enneagram 9: The Peacemaker
Voice your opinion
Mantra for the Year: I am worthy of taking up space.
There are few people who are more easygoing than Type Nines. As a nine, you tend to be receptive, stable, and trusting. You offer optimistic support to those around you, and are happy to go along with others to keep the peace. On the other hand, however, Nines can become complacent and may struggle with inertia.
It may seem like the easiest option to go with the flow and simply let everyone else make choices for you, but your thoughts and opinions are just as valid as everyone else’s. Instead of saying, “No, I’m fine with that” when it comes to picking the restaurant, tell your friends and family where you actually want to go to dinner! This way, when it comes to the really important things in life, you can voice your opinions with confidence.
When heading into the new year, try not to put too much pressure on yourself. Creating a resolution tailored to you and your own needs is crucial to achieve your goals. By working with yourself instead of against yourself, you’ll set yourself up for success in the long run!
If you haven’t yet taken an Enneagram test yet, I encourage you to do so. You may just learn something about yourself–and find a perfect resolution for the new year!
