Type Six with Kelly Summers
How long have you known about the Enneagram?
I’ve known about the Enneagram for a few years. My best friend (who’s a Seven) helped me figure out that I’m a Six, and I’m not sure I would have gotten as excited about the Enneagram without someone like her to walk through it and get excited about it with me. Having someone who can see and explain things a bit more objectively was important for me.
What do you like about being your type?
I like being a Six because it’s easy to see what I bring to the table in relationships when I’m in a healthy place. I am naturally good at encouraging and affirming, and I am able to live in a state of healthy vulnerability that encourages others to be okay with their shortcomings. I’m a responsible person who loves living up to and surpassing people’s expectations of me, and I’m a very thoughtful friend.
What challenge(s) does being your type bring?
The biggest challenge I’m facing right now as a Six is finding myself carrying a lot of suspicion toward people who love me. It’s been an interesting year for me, as I lost the two biggest identifiers of myself. My marriage ended, my career track changed, and I found myself finally having to trust that I could survive and thrive on my own. Even though I’ve made huge strides in trusting myself and being confident in my ability to make wise decisions (big & small), I still find myself uncertain that everyone else is as confident in me as I’m trying to be. It feels like no matter how good my track record is or how often I realize even the worst-case scenario isn’t so bad, there’s always an underlying anxiety that I’m in the wrong. It’s something I think I’ll always be learning to combat.
This is part of a 31-day series: The Enneagram. To read all posts, head here.
About Ali
I'm Ali. I write about my journey of living a full and healthy life with food allergies, overcoming the comparison trap, and cultivating authenticity.
