Enneagram and the Past
Of all the personality tools I’ve ever dived into, none has been as helpful and insightful for my daily life as the Enneagram. Haven’t heard of the Enneagram? Never fear! A clear, simple explanation is here. (sorry, I couldn’t resist). The Enneagram is simply a model of the human psyche that is broken down into nine different interconnected personality types. Although online tests do exist that might aid in helping discover your type, it’s recommended that you read about each of them. Usually, you will identify more clearly with one than others.
What are the types? Here they are briefly: The Reformer (1) ,The Helper (2), The Achiever (3), The Individualist (4), The Investigator (5), The Loyalist (6), The Enthusiast (7), The Challenger (8), and The Peacemaker (9). There are two wings for each type and the wings reflect the types to either side of that type. For example, the Achiever could have a wing of either the Helper or the Individualist, thus giving at least two different options for types of Achievers.
Here’s where it gets interesting in regards to time. Each Enneagram type relates specifically to one of the three “faces” of time, the past, present, or future. 3, 7, and 8 are all future focused and tend to put most of their energy into the next exciting thing or goals to work toward. 1, 2, and 6 are present focused - they are focused on fixing what is broken right now or the immediate needs of those around them. 4, 5, and 9? You guessed it: past oriented. I’m a four, so I feel this one personally. These types tend to ruminate on the past more than any other type, romanticize it, or process it intensely (Enneagram Empaths, 2020).
Let’s be honest, the day to day requirements of life can tend to get a little… lackluster. There’s a saying that a four’s perfect day contains both tragedy and beauty. That’s rung true for me and the pull of the past is no different. It’s so easy to want to escape the drudgery of this present moment by slipping into a technicolor memory from days long gone. This isn’t completely bad, but it does become a problem when I get stuck there. Sometimes once my memory dips into that pool of the past, it feels almost impossible to be present to the here and now. I go through the motions but my heart isn’t in it. And that isn’t fair to the people who are here, walking through the day to day stuff with me.
One of the best ways I’ve found to pull myself out of these sinkholes of the past is by going on a walk with my children, cuddling with them or one of our dogs, or exercising. Anything physical or tangible that forces me to experience my body in this moment. The wind against my face, the softness of my daughter’s hair tucked under my chin, etc. These things all pull me back out of the past. They are lifelines I can’t imagine going without. If you think you may be an enneagram type that tends to relate most to the past, you’ll need to find lifelines that work for you too.
References:
Enneagram orientation to time. (2020). Enneagram Empaths. Retrieved from https://enneagrampaths.com/2020/06/08/enneagram-orientation-to-time/.
https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/
Challenges/Points:
Each type on the Enneagram tends to focus energy on either the past, present, or future. These all have strengths and weaknesses that come with them.
Enneagram types that focus on the past are the 4, 5, and 9.
If you find yourself feeling “stuck” in the past or in a mental fog brought on by too much reminiscing, do something physical to pull yourself back to the present like brushing a pet, going on a walk outside, or dancing in your living room.
Questions:
Have you heard of the Enneagram before? Which type do you think you might be?
If you had to guess, which time orientation would you give yourself?
What might the positives or “superpowers” of a past time orientation be?
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