How To Find My Enneagram Tritype

Okay, so you’ve gotten into the Enneagram thing, huh? Welcome to the club! It's like, totally addictive. You probably know your main type, maybe even your wings. But have you heard about Tritypes? Get ready to go down the rabbit hole. (It’s a fun rabbit hole, I promise!)

What in the World is a Tritype?

Basically, your Tritype is like your Enneagram personality on steroids. Your core type is still the boss, obviously, but your Tritype adds layers of complexity. It suggests that you’re not just influenced by one type. Oh no. You’re influenced by THREE!

Each of these types comes from your centers of intelligence: head (5, 6, 7), heart (2, 3, 4), and gut (8, 9, 1). So, you have a dominant type in each of those centers. You know, brain, feeling, and instinct.

Think of it like this: your core type is your favorite ice cream flavor, but your Tritype is all the toppings you add to make it uniquely YOU. Sprinkles, hot fudge, whipped cream… you get the idea. Delicious, right? (Okay, maybe that's just me talking about ice cream...)

Finding Your Tritype: The Great Enneagram Treasure Hunt

Alright, let's get down to business. How do you actually find this mystical Tritype? It's not always easy, but it's definitely a worthwhile journey of self-discovery.

Step 1: Deep Dive into the Centers. Remember those head, heart, and gut centers? Let's revisit them. Think about which type in each center you relate to the most. Don't overthink it too much! Go with your gut (pun intended).

For example, in the head center (5, 6, 7), do you feel like a researcher (5), a loyal skeptic (6), or an optimistic adventurer (7)? You can take online tests that separate by each center too - sometimes that makes the process a bit easier!

Step 2: Consider the Core Fears and Motivations. Each type has a core fear and a core desire. Does the fear of being useless (Type 5), unsupported (Type 6), or trapped (Type 7) resonate most with you in your head center? Understanding those underlying drivers is key. Do these resonate for heart or gut center? You can find this for each type, and think about when you have experienced the core fear in each respective center.

Step 3: Read, Read, Read! Seriously, read everything you can about the different Tritype combinations. There are tons of resources online (hello, Google!), and many people who have already written about common Tritypes. You'll likely find descriptions that make you say, "OMG, that's SO me!"

Step 4: Beware the Echo Chamber. This is a tricky one. Don't just pick types that sound "good." Be brutally honest with yourself. It's about understanding your true self, flaws and all. Nobody's perfect! (Except maybe puppies… and even they chew shoes sometimes.)

Step 5: Ask for Feedback. Get some outside perspective. Ask trusted friends or family members which types they see in you. Sometimes, others can see aspects of ourselves that we miss.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Finding your Tritype can be tricky, so here are a few common mistakes to avoid:

• Trying to be "unique." Don't pick types just because you think they sound cool or unusual. Go with what actually resonates.
• Overthinking it! Sometimes, the answer is staring you right in the face. Don't get bogged down in the details.
• Ignoring your core type. Remember, your core type is still the foundation. Your Tritype should complement it, not contradict it.
• Thinking it's set in stone. Your Enneagram type (and Tritype) can evolve over time as you grow and change. It's not a rigid label.

The Bottom Line

Finding your Tritype is a journey, not a destination. Be patient with yourself, and enjoy the process of self-discovery. It's like peeling back the layers of an onion (but hopefully less tear-inducing!). And remember, at the end of the day, it's just a tool for understanding yourself better. So, don't take it too seriously. Have fun with it! Now go forth and discover your amazing, multifaceted self! You got this!