Are You an Enneagram Nerd?

Do you know why personal narrative style writing is such a good fit for me?

Well, there are at least 10 reasons, but do you know the reason I want to talk about today?

It’s because of my Enneagram type. I’m an Enneagram Type 5 with a strong 4 wing. If you’re not yet an Enneagram nerd, that means that my primary type is Type 5, the Observer. Then each of us also has a “wing,” which is one of the numbers on either side of your primary type.

I can be a Type 5 with a 4 wing or I can be a Type 5 with a 6 wing.

And that’s it – wings are on either side. I can’t be a Type 5 with a 7 wing or a 2 wing or a 9 wing because that’d be jumping numbers. Your wing is the number on either side that adds depth and nuance to your primary number.

If you’re not yet clear on your primary number, the cheapest solution is to buy the paperback version of “Discovering Your Personality Type: The Essential Introduction to the Enneagram” (currently $9.49) and do the test in the book. For $2.50 more, you can get a PDF of the test immediately here (you want the RHETI test). There’s also a test that’s like $200 that a lot of my friends love, but you really don’t need to jump to that unless the cheaper test doesn’t give you a clear answer.

And, because I am indeed an Enneagram nerd, I’ll add two final tidbits: first – if you’re ever unsure of an answer when you’re taking the test, answer from the perspective of your 19-year-old self. Your 19-year-old you is the purest you that you’ve ever been Enneagram-wise. The older we get, the more we learn to cope and adjust and do all the things that adults do, so we might seem like a different number on the outside. Your Enneagram number is about your insides. So answer how your 19-year-old self would have answered, and you’ll get the best results.

Second – if you read your results and you don’t feel naked and wonder, “how is this capturing sentiments that I’ve always felt but never been able to put words to?” then you probably have the wrong number.

Hmm.

At this point, it feels a little bit weird to go back to the thing I originally planned to write about. Because the vibe is different now and we’re all about vibes, aren’t we? (Aren’t we, hubby? Hm? Hmmm? Hmmmmmmmm?)

So today I’ll publish the hilariously “least like a 4 wing” musing I’ve ever published and enjoy the irony of that.

The Enneagram is super cool. And if you’re even the slightest bit curious, it’s worth checking out.

If you’re a lotta bit curious and you don’t have a spare $9.49, message me. I can send out a few books because I believe this stuff has the power to change lives. And there have been plenty of times when I didn’t have a spare $9.49, so please know I won’t think it’s weird if that’s the situation you’re in at the moment.

Please also know that when I say, “I can send out a few books,” I absolutely mean that I will log into Shrek’s Amazon and send you books from his account because Shrek funds my family’s Amazon-ing. Then my mom does this unintentionally hilarious thing where she purchases group presents for family baby showers using Shrek’s credit card, doesn’t realize it, and then insists that Shrek Venmo her for his portion. Insists!

Oh, the joys of being a Carney. Well done, soul. You picked an excellent family for this incarnation. Keep up the good work.

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Morning Musings is a delight-first writing practice where I make a cup of coffee, dance around my house a little bit, then put my fingers on the keyboard and see what comes up.

Some folks find these musings helpful. If you know anyone who might like this musing, please share it freely.