The Holidays & the Enneagram!

Our therapists at Brave Haven Counseling love the enneagram! So we thought we would share some enneagram wisdom to help make this holiday season a little brighter!

Enneagram 1

Enneagram 1s, its ok to leave some of the stuff on your holiday to-do list undone. Your family would so much rather have you fully present in the moment with them, than have you running around making all the things look good. So don’t worry about getting out the nice plates, or having the presents wrapped just right. None of that is the stuff your family is going to remember. But they will remember the times you were there next to them experiencing the day together.

Enneagram 2

Enneagram 2s, make sure to take some time to take care of YOU. Do something you want to do, instead of sacrificing yourself to make Christmas happen for everyone else. Do you want to sit down and enjoy your meal instead of serving everyone seconds? Do you want to have a slow morning and sit and drink your coffee? Definitely do it. Others are capable of taking care of themselves AND helping you at the same time.

Enneagram 3

Enneagram 3s, you are the most efficient person in the room. Need the whole house decorated in an afternoon? Boom its done. Need someone to orchestrate all the travel plans? Yep, handled. But this holiday, slow down and be present to your emotions. Its ok to pause and look inward. You are so good at evaluating the room that you don’t spend much time evaluating your inner world. Try to set aside time every day to reflect on how you are feeling as well as identifying what you can do to tend to those feelings.

Enneagram 4

Enneagram 4s, yall are the ones that bring the emotional depth to the party. Yall are the ones that remind us that human connection is the most important part of this season. Even when it feels like people don’t value what you bring, remember that your perspective is an integral piece to the holiday experience. Focus on your value, your strengths, and your gifts this holiday instead of what you or your present situation might be lacking.

Enneagram 5

Enneagram 5s, your people want you to be present at their holiday celebrations! They love you and want to spend time with you. Allow yourself to show up to be seen AND known. Its ok if you need to take breaks throughout the day, but remember that you need to come back and rejoin the group. And as hard as it might be, allow your people to take care of a few of your needs this year. They are dying to do something to take care of YOU!

Enneagram 6

Enneagram 6s, yall are so good at wanting to know what’s really going on in other people’s lives, but often don’t share what’s really going on in yours. You are personable, but not personal. So this holiday, allow yourself to be fully seen. Share your story. Share your stresses and your successes. Vulnerability can be difficult. AND, it also fosters deep connection.

Enneagram 7

Enneagram 7s, yall are the best at making things more exciting and enjoyable! And as much as you’re going to hate me saying this, not everything needs to be bigger, better, and more fun. This holiday, try and work on allowing things to be as they are without pumping them up. There can be so much joy in the ordinary every day moments. You just have to look for them. Brene Brown once said, “We risk out on joy when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary.”

Enneagram 8

Enneagram 8s, out of all the numbers on the enneagram, yall have the most energy. Which is one of the reasons why yall are able to lead, command, and accomplish like champions. But that is not all that you are to us. So this year, REST. Rest from all the managing, orchestrating, governing, achieving, and championing. You are allowed to rest. Allow your loved ones the opportunity to flex some of their leadership muscles while you relax. You deserve it.

Enneagram 9

Enneagram 9s, you’re not going to like what Im about to say, because of your tendency to merge with others and not rock the boat. But this holiday, identify a few things YOU want to do and make them known to your loved ones. Then set boundaries in order to guarantee you get to do them. For instance, tell your loved ones you’re not coming over until noon so that you can have that slow Christmas morning you want. Whatever it is that you desire, you are worth it.

If you are interested in learning more about the enneagram and how it can be helpful in therapy, we would love to hear from you!