Being a 2 and Having a Disability

If you haven't heard of the Enneagram personalities, I highly recommend you look it up and take the test https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test ! Enneagram definition: a system of personality typing that describes patterns in how people conceptualize the world and manage their emotions. There are types 1-9. Each type has 2 options of "wings." I am a 2w1 for anyone that is into all things Enneagram. For today though, I am just going to talk about what being a 2 means for me. Twos are known as "The Helpers." So, twos are generally generous and demonstrative but on the flip side they can be possessive and people-pleasing. Our basic fear is being unloved or not helpful and our basic desire is to feel loved.

Being a 2 with a disability can be difficult because I can't always help in the capacity that others can. Because of the people pleasing factor, I might push too hard to help as much as I can because my mind believes that that is what makes people like me. However, I have realized that sometimes being able to listen and validate feelings is the most helpful you can be. Luckily, I can do that.

The major side effect of being a two is that we forget to put ourselves first and spend all our time worrying about other people. My health and well being should arguably always go first, but unfortunately I am not always able to put it first because of my personality. It can be exhausting but I also have a huge heart for people. I am able to meet people where they are in life and be there for them. Because of the combination of what I have been through and that I am a two, I am very in touch with my emotions. Within a short amount of time, I can figure out what I am feeling and how to fix it. Which is great because I am a very emotional person.

I just wanted to share this because I am super fascinated with the Enneagram personalities and I think it is crazy how accurate they are!