Made up of nine archetypes, the Enneagram is a personality test that can reveal so much about a person’s perspective, needs, desires, and preconceived notions about the world. If you don’t know your type, here’s an easy rundown of each of them and a test to determine your own. Nicknamed “the Helper,” Enneagram Type 2 is notorious for putting others before themselves and minimizing their own needs for the good of their loved ones. Type 2s make amazing friends; they’re often the first to remember a milestone, expend emotional energy to make someone happy, lend a hand when it’s needed or have an extra snack on hand.
While so many of the 2’s characteristics are good things, their drive to look after others can become harmful. If a 2 isn’t careful about self care they can start to believe that they’re only as valuable as their last good deed or take it immensely to heart when their more grandiose gestures aren’t reciprocated. Type 2s are more susceptible to negative self talk than some other types; when they forget to check in with their own self worth, they can start to believe that nobody really wants them around and can start trying to”earn” their place in relationships by overcompensating and spending more emotional energy than they can spare.
Enneagram Type 2s have a tendency to minimize their own struggles, so much so that their loved ones might not even realize anything is wrong at all. As a 2, some of the most important work you can do is affirming that you matter even when you’re not contributing anything. Getting comfortable taking up space in your relationships rather than avoiding ever “being a burden” might feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s crucial in your journey to actualization.
Here are a few ideas for a gift to get yourself as a reminder that you’re worth it!
A Succulent Subscription Service
You’ve got an abundance of nurturing energy; why not invest some of it in yourself and in a few live plants? Services like Succulent Studios will send you two curated 8-week-old succulents every month that you can plant around your home for a burst of fresh life. Gardening is some of the best alone time there is, so you’ll also be cultivating your connection with your inner self while investing love in your new plants.
Miles Kimball Month-By-Month Card Organizer
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As an Enneagram Type 2, you care about your friends like it’s your job. You like to keep up with your loved ones’ milestones. Whether they’re happy ones like birthdays and achievements or losses that require kindness and support, you want to be the first one to remember and offer a kind word. Keep track of the cards you plan on sending months in advance with this organizer.
Affirmators! Affirmation Cards
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It’s easy for Enneagram Type 2s to feel like they’re only valid when they’re in service to someone else; because they’re so focused on the needs of others, it can be hard for them to care about or recognize their own needs. Spend a little time each day forcing yourself to think about yourself and your own desires. Good self love is the only path to loving others well.
elago M2 Phone Stand
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If this quarantine has had you scheduling weekly calls with your BFFS, and your friends, and your acquaintances, and your acquaintances’ acquaintances, you’ve probably experienced a fair amount of phone arm fatigue. Take things easy on yourself while you check in with your friends and use this hands-free stand instead!
Sponsor An Animal
Enneagram Type 2s tend to feel a lot of responsibility for the happiness and wellbeing of others, often carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. That can be especially challenging in a time like this, when so many people are going through difficulties and hardships. If you’ve started feeling overwhelmed by all the problems in the world you can’t solve, making an investment in an animal’s future might be the perfect solution. It gives you the opportunity to know that you’ve made a definitive difference in the world for one of its more vulnerable residents. Programs like the Wildlife Alliance Fund allow you to sponsor animals like slow lorises, pangolins and elephants that have been rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. You receive a certificate, photo and fact sheet about your animal, plus you get quarterly updates on how your animal is doing!
If you’d like to sponsor an animal a bit closer to home, pet rescues all over the country have options to support shelter pets while they wait for their forever home. Kitten Rescue LA even has a wing for special needs cats who live there full time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, making a small, concrete contribution to improve an animal’s life might be the exact pick-me-up you need.
As a Type 2 on the Enneagram, you live your life a bit more vulnerable than some other types, and this year has probably been a unique challenge for your empathetic side. Taking a few moments to do something that makes you happy is a radical act, and one that will pay off in spades as it gives you more energy, empathy, and love to go around.
If you want to learn more about the Enneagram and how it can help lead you to better self-love and deeper self-knowledge, here are a few books that can help you learn more.
