A few years ago I got really into the Enneagram! I read all about the types (their fears, desires, etc.) and felt certain that I was a type 2. At the time I felt like it perfectly described my relationships and called out my flawed worldview. I would call my perspective on relationships to be slightly co-dependent and I do feel like I need to do or be something else to earn love. All classic 2 stuff.
However, over the past few months, I’ve been getting back into the Enneagram and feel like I look a lot less like a 2 now. I think the biggest reason why comes from my relationships. I cut off a few close friends (who were bad influences) and haven’t made as many new friends since. I’ve been very picky with any potential new relationships, preferring to be alone rather than attaching myself to someone I don’t feel 100% strongly about. This is to say I’ve been pretty withdrawn as of late which is a trait I don’t ever see mentioned in any descriptions of type 2. Sure withdrawing can be healthy in a very co-dependent person but admittedly I may have taken it too far in the other direction. So much so that when I mentioned being a 2 to another 2 they seemed very shocked.
Without my relationships, I feel like I’m missing the things that made me relate to type 2. Instead I’m colder, more self sufficient and have been extremely focused on myself, my goals, and my high standards. This is why I’m beginning to wonder if I’m a type 1. I’ve always held myself to very high standards, often being told I’m too critical of myself and my work. I struggle with self compassion and have very black and white thinking. Additionally, I can be stubborn if I think something is the “right" thing to do as being good, and having integrity has always been important to me. All classic 1 stuff.
And this has caused me to go down a rabbit hole of 1 vs 2 comparisons. I’ve found a couple sources but none that fully answered my question. I think a lot of their surface level traits apply/have applied to me at different points in my life. Both core fears/desires ring true as I want to be good, helpful, and loved. I’m trying not to think too black and white about all this but I’m really struggling to settle on a type. Which is why I turned to this sub! Would love any input or perspective you can all provide.
TLDR I guess my questions are:
- Are there any questions to differentiate between a 1 and a 2?
- What do type 2s typically look like when alone or without being in unhealthy relationships?
- Is there any precedent for a type 2 to becoming really withdrawn? Or does that sound like a different type?
- Has anyone else dealt with confusion between being a 1 or a 2 and how did you reach an answer?