In an effort to do some self discovery + improvement, this year I started researching enneagrams. The enneagram is a system of nine different personality types that interconnect together. We all have relationships with each type based on our behavior, however are more strongly connected to one "main" type. To find out your own enneagram type, you can take an enneagram test (there are tons of free ones online). I identify the most with Type 4, commonly referred to as "The Individualist." If you're here because you're also a Type 4, today I'm doing a book review on Enneagram Type 4 by Beth McCord. I shared it a few weeks back in my Summer Book Haul.
If you aren't a Type 4, there's an entire collection by Beth McCord for each enneagram type. I'll link them all here!
Type 1 | Type 2 | Type 3 | Type 4 | Type 5 | Type 6 | Type 7 | Type 8 | Type 9
ENNEAGRAM TYPE 4 by BETH McCORD
In
Enneagram Type 4, the author breaks down the essence of being a type 4 into what are referred to as our four major motivations: our
core desire,
core fear,
core weakness and
core longing. These are the main qualities, strengths and weaknesses that we embody as a type 4. Through a spiritual approach, Beth McCord shares how these motivations impact our lives both positively and negatively. She also discusses the ways that we can cope and adapt with them.
While reading, I confirmed that the core motivations and Type 4 traits she discussed in
the book align well with my personality. I definitely identify with the personality traits of wanting to be unique, creative and authentic. I also recognize some of my flawed traits in
the book too, things like being temperamental at times and moody. Normally recognizing your flaws isn’t fun, however it was actually really nice to find a connection and understanding of why you behave and think the way you do. The book is also setup like a mini workbook with areas to answer questions after each section. I'm not a huge fan of writing in books so I tried to think through these instead.
The author is also a Type 4 so I related a lot to her personal experience with having "the ability to sit with sorrow." My entire life, I've always dealt with grief and sadness differently than most people do. I've never been as emotionally expressive on the outside and often approach these areas in a more matter-of-fact way. There are a lot of traits and themes in Type 4 that deal with feeling misunderstood or that you are missing something that everyone else has. I too feel this way at times and appreciated the way she recognized that we all have negative tendencies and that's it's okay-- some of them can even be positives.
At the end I was still left wanting more insight and a deeper look into my enneagram, however I think
Enneagram Type 4 (or likely any in the series) is a great starting point for diving into your enneagram type. She offers some great information on all of the different enneagram types and more insight on the specifics of Type 4. It was interesting to see how and where the Type 4 personality also overlaps and shares traits with some of the other types. I also appreciated her basis on spirituality and how we can use the enneagram from a religious perspective. For any type, I think it's worth checking out the corresponding book in her collection if you're curious to learn more about yourself!
What's your type?
