Have you ever asked yourself, “What’s my Enneagram?” The Enneagram is one of the most powerful personality frameworks for understanding who you are, what drives you, and how you relate to others. Unlike surface-level personality quizzes, the Enneagram digs deep into your motivations, fears, and desires — giving you a roadmap for personal growth and self-awareness.
In this guide, you’ll learn what the Enneagram is, the nine personality types, and how to discover which one truly represents you.
What Is the Enneagram?
The Enneagram of Personality is a model that divides human behavior into nine interconnected personality types. Each type reflects a core motivation — what you fear most and what you most desire in life. Understanding your type helps you recognize both your strengths and your blind spots, leading to greater self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
When people search for “Whats my Enneagram”, they’re usually looking for insight into why they think, feel, and act the way they do — and how to grow into their healthiest version.
The 9 Enneagram Personality Types
Each Enneagram type has a unique way of seeing the world. Below is a breakdown of all nine types to help you find the one that resonates most with you.
Type 1: The Reformer (The Perfectionist)
Core Desire: To be good, ethical, and right.
Core Fear: Being bad, wrong, or corrupt.
Type Ones strive for integrity and perfection. They have a strong moral compass and want to make the world a better place. However, their inner critic can make them overly self-critical or rigid.
Type 2: The Helper
Core Desire: To be loved and appreciated.
Core Fear: Being unwanted or unworthy of love.
Type Twos are caring and empathetic. They love helping others and thrive in relationships. Their challenge is learning to give without losing themselves or seeking validation.
Type 3: The Achiever
Core Desire: To feel valuable and successful.
Core Fear: Being seen as worthless or a failure.
Type Threes are ambitious and adaptable. They excel in performance and image-conscious environments but can sometimes lose touch with their authentic self while chasing success.
Type 4: The Individualist
Core Desire: To be unique and authentic.
Core Fear: Being ordinary or insignificant.
Type Fours are emotional, creative, and introspective. They bring depth and beauty to life but may struggle with envy or feeling misunderstood.
Type 5: The Investigator
Core Desire: To understand and be capable.
Core Fear: Being helpless, ignorant, or overwhelmed.
Type Fives are analytical and curious thinkers. They love learning and value privacy. However, they can become detached or withdrawn when they feel emotionally drained.
Type 6: The Loyalist
Core Desire: To feel secure and supported.
Core Fear: Being unsafe or abandoned.
Type Sixes are loyal, responsible, and hardworking. They anticipate potential problems and value trust. Their main challenge is managing anxiety and fear of uncertainty.
Type 7: The Enthusiast
Core Desire: To be happy and satisfied.
Core Fear: Being deprived or trapped in pain.
Type Sevens are energetic, optimistic, and adventurous. They love new experiences and possibilities. However, they can struggle to stay grounded and avoid difficult emotions.
Type 8: The Challenger
Core Desire: To be in control and independent.
Core Fear: Being weak or vulnerable.
Type Eights are powerful, assertive, and protective. They value strength and autonomy, but they can become confrontational or overly controlling when stressed.
Type 9: The Peacemaker
Core Desire: To have peace and harmony.
Core Fear: Conflict and disconnection.
Type Nines are calm, patient, and accepting. They strive for inner and outer peace but may avoid conflict to the point of neglecting their own needs.
How to Figure Out “Whats My Enneagram”
If you’re wondering how to determine your type, start by reflecting on your core motivations rather than your behavior. Two people might act the same way, but for completely different reasons — motivation is what defines your Enneagram type.
Steps to Find Your Type:
- Reflect on your fears and desires. What drives most of your decisions — the need for approval, control, success, or peace?
- Notice emotional patterns. How do you react under stress or when you feel threatened?
- Explore each type’s description. Read through all nine and see which one resonates with your inner experience the most.
- Consider your growth path. Each type has healthy and unhealthy expressions — which do you see in yourself?
Remember: The goal isn’t to fit neatly into a box, but to understand your patterns so you can grow beyond them.
Why Knowing Your Enneagram Type Matters
Once you know your Enneagram type, you can start identifying the unconscious habits that shape your emotions, relationships, and decisions. This awareness can help you:
- 🌱 Grow emotionally and spiritually
- 🤝 Improve communication and empathy in relationships
- 💼 Find careers that align with your motivations
- 🧘 Manage stress and inner conflict more effectively
Wings, Arrows, and Subtypes — The Depth of the Enneagram
The Enneagram isn’t just about the nine types. Each type connects to others through “wings” and “arrows,” which represent variations in personality.
Wings:
Your wing is the number next to your main type (for example, a Type 4 might have a 3-wing or a 5-wing). This gives your personality additional flavor and nuance.
Arrows:
Each type also has two arrows — one representing growth and the other representing stress. Understanding these helps you recognize when you’re thriving versus when you’re falling into old patterns.
Subtypes:
Subtypes are instinctual variations (self-preservation, social, or sexual). They explain why people of the same Enneagram type can behave differently.
Examples of How Each Type Shows Up in Daily Life
Here’s a glimpse of how the nine types tend to express themselves in everyday situations:
- Type 1: You’re the one making sure everything’s done “the right way.”
- Type 2: You remember everyone’s birthdays and love making others feel special.
- Type 3: You’re always setting goals and striving for success.
- Type 4: You feel deeply and express yourself authentically through art or style.
- Type 5: You prefer to observe and think before acting or speaking.
- Type 6: You always have a backup plan — just in case.
- Type 7: You’re planning your next trip or exciting adventure.
- Type 8: You take charge and protect those you care about.
- Type 9: You go with the flow and keep the peace whenever possible.
Enneagram Growth and Transformation
The beauty of the Enneagram lies in its capacity for transformation. It doesn’t limit you — it shows you the path to becoming your healthiest, most balanced self. Each type has a unique growth journey:
- 1: Embrace flexibility and self-compassion.
- 2: Practice self-care and set boundaries.
- 3: Focus on authenticity over achievement.
- 4: Appreciate what’s present instead of longing for what’s missing.
- 5: Engage emotionally and share your knowledge.
- 6: Build trust in yourself and others.
- 7: Learn to sit with discomfort instead of escaping it.
- 8: Embrace vulnerability as a form of strength.
- 9: Assert yourself and take initiative.
Final Thoughts
Asking “Whats my Enneagram?” is the beginning of a journey into deeper self-awareness. Whether you identify as a passionate Type 4, a loyal Type 6, or an ambitious Type 3, the Enneagram can help you understand your motivations, heal old patterns, and grow into the best version of yourself.
Remember: The Enneagram isn’t about labeling — it’s about awakening. Discovering your type can illuminate the path toward authenticity, compassion, and true personal growth.