A couple of weeks ago, I told you about a personality test that I had taken called an Enneagram.
I already knew that I was an introvert, that I need alone time to rejuvenate. I knew that I like to research and analyze and figure out how and why things work. I knew that it takes a long time before I let someone into my inner world.
But some of my behaviors can be pretty extreme, and some of that I did not realize.
Here’s some descriptions from the analysis –
Fives learn to reduce their own needs to reduce involvement and dependency on others. This make it tough for people to see a need and offer support.
Many live simply with sparse surrounding. People who are overly giving or need annoy Fives as they value self-sufficiency. Receiving presents brings an obligation.
The main goal is to be capable and competent on their own.
Fives limit their desires and wants
They figure out what they can do without
They need privacy to allow feelings to surface
They have a need to figure everything out as a way of being safe from outside intrusion.
They feel an intense need to protect their knowledge, personal time, energy, and personal space. The classic withdrawing into their shell.
If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know that I
- Do not have TV
- Do not have a smart phone
- Have all antique or old furniture
- Find ways to treat myself if I do get sick, which thankfully isn’t often because I am intent on staying healthy so I don’t need doctors.
- Do all of my own painting and such
- Have worked on my own car
- I am intrigued by the prospect of living off the grid
Kind of crazy when you look at it in this new context, isn’t it?
How depressing is all of that?
It used to seem sort of noble, but now I’m thinking I’m a little insane.
I thought about how I got that way. Even as a baby, I was left alone. My mom would put me in the play pen and go back to bed. My father would change my diapers when he got home from work. I was potty trained by the age of 1.
From the earliest age, I learned that I could not count on anyone. “If it is to be, it’s up to me” was all that I knew.
Even 2 weeks later, I’m still dealing with the pain of this revelation that explains so much. I still cry for that child that grew up alone and unloved.
It explains so much about why I’ve always been intent on doing everything myself.
But there is an upside to all of this.
Because of our obsession with knowledge and analysis, ‘evolved’ type fives can be “innovative and find new ways of doing things that challenge the established systems.”
We are able to “consolidate vast amounts of information into clear terms that others can understand and actually apply.”
Secret Confessions of a Clean Freak is how I figured out how to keep a really clean house, and still keep up with the rest of life’s demands as a single mom.
Whole Life Overhaul is a step-by-step course to help you change bad habits into good habits and make your life a whole lot more comfortable and fulfilling.
How to Beat Depression is just that. I have a lot of experience with that one.
The member area is a compilation (dumping ground?) of various articles on health, healthy eating, and my recipe collection to help anyone who wants to lose weight, get healthier, prevent disease, and cook great meals fast.
So, I guess I’m on the path to doing what ‘evolved’ type fives do.
Who are some other crazy type fives?
Einstein, Stephen Hawking, Stephen King, Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, among others. People who do their best work by withdrawing – working in isolation. None of them are particularly social.
I’m a little more social, but they are all a lot smarter. I’m not a total recluse. I do have friends. I do leave the house. I am thankful that I have formed relationships with many people through this blog and courses. It means a lot to me. It means a lot to me that you visit the blog and read my stuff, and I sincerely hope that it helps you live a better life.
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That reminds me – if you have been with me a long time, you may have remembered me blowing up the site a few times. That’s one of the problems with trying to do everything yourself I suppose. If you were a subscriber, you may have noticed that you are not getting anything from me anymore. Well, that is because I blew up the subscriber list accidentally and could not get it back. If you would like to get back on the mailing list, there is a box to subscriber below. Sorry about that!
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Do you know any other type fives? People who withdraw into their shell, and maybe seem reclusive? How have they affected your life?
