Category: Lists

Body Positivity for Each Enneagram Type

Body Positivity for Each Enneagram Type

Posted on by melissakircher

Whether we’re white, black, olive, tan or any of the million shades in between. Whether we have dark hair or fair, curly or straight. Whether we identify as male, female, or on any part of the gender spectrum. Whether thin or curvy, tall or short, differently-abled, or facing chronic illness. The truth is, not only do we all HAVE bodies, we all ARE bodies.

Our bodies need love and care. They need attention. Listen to your body. Give it what it asks for. Let it have a brownie, nap, bath, crazy fast run, boxing session, silk pajamas, or time to sit in silence. Be patient and kind to your physical self. It holds just as much wisdom as your heart and mind!

Here are some quick body positivity tips for each Enneagram Type.

Body Positivity for Type One: I am not perfect. No diet or exercise routine will ever make me as happy with my body as I can be right now, loving it exactly as is. How can I relax and listen to my body today, taking joy in giving it whatever it needs?

Body Positivity for Type Two: My body is deserving of time and attention. I will lavish it with good food, exercise, rest, and tons of compliments. I will take time apart from others so I may tune into its personal messages for me.

Body Positivity for Type Three: I do not need to push my body past its limits. Tiredness is my body telling me to rest. Rest is good for me, thank you body for reminding me of this truth.

Body Positivity for Type Four: Emotions are valuable, but they are not always reality. I can walk and enjoy the sunshine, go for a run, laugh, or eat a comforting meal. I will move my body and let its wisdom resonate within.

Body Positivity for Type Five: My body is me, not just my brain. I will take it to the dentist, get that mole checked, cook it a full healthy meal, not just another egg sandwich because I’m too engrossed in a project. I will exercise, do yoga, breathe deeply. I will love and trust the physical me.

Body Positivity for Type Six: There is most likely nothing wrong with me. I will stop googling symptoms. I will learn to trust my body. It’s strong and wise, and will tell me exactly what it needs. And if I’m dealing with illness or pain, I will remember to be tender and kind, speaking to my body with gentleness and care.

Body Positivity for Type Seven: I can sit down, be still, and quiet. I will take a minute to thank my body for all the things it allows me to do. Imagine how every single cell shows up and does its job. Isn’t my body glorious?

Body Positivity for Type Eight: My body is not a thing to be mastered or beaten into submission. I will take baths. I will get massages. I will listen to it tell me to sleep, eat, and snuggle with other people. I will accept love into my life through my body.

Body Positivity for Type Nine: My body holds ancient, evolved wisdom. I will honor my body by not smothering its voice. I won’t numb it. Instead, I’ll listen, it has life-giving, freeing things to tell me.

*For all Types: And if I need medication, I will take medication. There is no shame in balanced brain chemistry.*

*Be sure to check out my new Enneagram Self-Love Downloads you can print and use instantly!*

Respecting the 9 Enneagram Types

Respecting the 9 Enneagram Types

Posted on by melissakircher

Respect can be defined as, “A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.” With healthy respect you and I have the capacity to appreciate the differences within each Enneagram Type, and within each unique soul, even when those differences might feel confusing or polarizing. (Or drive us crazy!)

Respecting each other allows us to treat all human beings with dignity and worth, something our world today needs more than ever. Think about the change that happens when two people who might not normally get along decide to respect each other. A shift happens, an energy moves, and suddenly peace is possible—even within disagreement.

Here is a quick list of tips for respecting the nine Enneagram Types.

Respecting a 1:

Thank them for a job well done, making sure to point out that you’ve noticed how thoroughly they completed every part of the task. Ones work hard for your benefit.

Respecting a 2:

Send them a handwritten thank you card for something they’ve done for you, affirming how much you love them. Acknowledge how much they give.

Respecting a 3:

Appreciate their doing as an act of investing in a relationship, person, organization, or cause. Their work has a direct connection to their hearts and should be treated with care.

Respecting a 4:

Invite them to share their opinions about hard issues. They have a deep well of emotional intelligence that often goes unnoticed in meetings, conflicts, projects, and on teams. They want to use their EQ to help.

Respecting a 5:

Don’t interrupt them. It takes serious effort to coalesce all that thinking into coherent speech. They’re trying hard to share relevant information/wisdom with you.

Respecting a 6:

Allowing space for them to process all the scenarios, because you know they’ll unearth weaknesses in your plan or project that will ultimately help you succeed. Sixes are on your side.

Respecting a 7:

Release the expectation that they’ll always be happy. They have a rich well of wisdom and being to give, but can only do so when space is safe enough for them to share the full spectrum of their selfhood.

Respecting an 8:

Step aside when you see them leading effectively and allow them to be in control. They use their innate power to serve and protect.

Respecting a 9:

BOTH give them time and space to withdraw or go with the flow as they need to keep peace, AND periodically remind them how much their unique presence matters. They love you fiercely.

Hope these tips are helpful! Please feel free to comment below with ways you feel respect as your Type, or ways you’ve learned to respect other Types! – Melissa

*Be sure to check out my new Enneagram Self-Love Downloads you can print and use instantly!*

The Emotional Movement of Each Enneagram Type

The Emotional Movement of Each Enneagram Type

Posted on by melissakircher

“Emotional intelligence is the ability to sense, understand, and effectively apply the power and acumen of emotions as a source of human energy, information, connection, and influence.”  — Robert K. Cooper. Ph.D.

“It is very important to understand that emotional intelligence is not the opposite of intelligence, it is not the triumph of heart over head — it is the unique intersection of both.” — David Caruso

Emotions matter. It seems so simple and yet, how many of us disregard our emotions? We stuff them inside, ignore them, and talk ourselves out of feeling everything that makes us uncomfortable. This tamping down of our emotional life comes at a cost: to our relationship with ourselves (self-love), our relationships with others, and it can adversely affect our physical and mental health. Emotions are neutral and they are informational. They point to what’s really going on; what areas in our life need love and attention.

Below is the emotional flux of each Enneagram Type as they move through the various stages of health, autopilot, and stress. None of these words are good or bad; they’re simply descriptive, and should be used like we’re all love detectives, investigating the emotional landscape in order to know more and feel it all.

The Emotional Flux of a Type One:

Stressed 4 – envious, depressed, resentful

Average 1 – Morally-minded, blunt, strict

Health 7 – Expansive, optimistic, spontaneous

The Emotional Flux of a Type Two:

Stressed 8 – Hostile, authoritative, shamed

Average 2 – Ingratiating, creative, unaware

Health 4 – Open, secure, expressive

The Emotional Flux of a Type Three:

Stressed 9 – raging, numbed, accusatory

Average 3 – insincere, charming, boundless

Health 6 – altruistic, courageous, devoted

The Emotional Flux of a Type Four:

Stressed 2 – resentful, needy, worthless

Average 4 – entitled, yearning, self-effacing

Health 1 – prolific, spacious, feeling geniuses

The Emotional Flux of a Type Five:

Stressed 7 – Anxious, manic, self-loathing

Average 5 – Curious, distant, insecure

Heath 8 – Energized, empowered, centered

The Emotional Flux of a Type Six:

Stressed 3 – frantic, deceptive, driven

Average 6 – alert, doubting, warm

Health 9 – intuitive, relaxed, trusting

The Emotional Flux of a Type Seven:

Stressed 1 – Agitated, critical, picky

Average 7 – joyful, avoidant, magnetic

Health 5 – Present, awe-filled, controlled

Emotional Flux of a Type Eight:

Stressed 5 – isolated, calculating, negligent

Average 8 – provocative, power-hungry, excessive

Health 2 – tender, attentive, intuitive

The Emotional Flux of a Type Nine:

Stressed 6 – worried, pessimistic, reactive

Average 9 – apathetic, serene, accommodating

Health – passionate, self-loving, driven

*Be sure to check out my new Enneagram Self-Love Downloads you can print and use instantly!*