The Enneagram, Explained: What It Is & How It Impacts Wellness

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Personality quizzes are fun. But the Enneagram? It tends to feel a little more personal.

In this episode, I sat down with Abbey Howe — Enneagram educator, author, and creator known for her relatable, lighthearted approach to self-discovery — to talk about what the Enneagram actually is, how to find your type, and why it can meaningfully impact the way you approach your health, relationships, and everyday habits.

So… what is the Enneagram?

At its simplest, the Enneagram is about the lens through which you see the world.

It outlines nine core personality types, each driven by a unique internal motivation. What makes it different from other personality systems is that it doesn’t just look at behavior — it looks at the why behind the behavior. Two people can do the same thing (procrastinate, overwork, avoid conflict), but for completely different internal reasons.

The word itself comes from the Greek words for “nine” and “figure,” referencing the nine-pointed symbol that maps how types relate to each other in stress and growth. And no — the numbers aren’t rankings. They’re just placeholders for nine different perspectives.

How do you know your type?

Abbey recommends starting with a test — but not stopping there. Tests can give you clues, not final answers.

From there, she suggests learning about the three “centers of intelligence” (head, heart, and gut), noticing which type makes you cringe a little (usually a good sign), and reading about each type’s core fear and desire. When you land on your type, it tends to feel less like picking and more like being seen.

Why does it matter?

Because awareness changes things.

For Abbey, discovering her type was a turning point. It helped her understand patterns she had lived out for years without realizing why. And that’s where the Enneagram becomes powerful — it builds self-awareness, compassion, and clarity in relationships.

It also shapes the way we approach wellness.

Here’s a quick look at how each type might show up in their health patterns:

Type 1 (The Reformer) tends to pursue wellness with high standards. They can be disciplined and consistent, but may struggle with rigidity or self-criticism when they “mess up.”
Type 2 (The Helper) often prioritizes everyone else’s needs first. Their growth edge in wellness is remembering their own body deserves care, too.
Type 3 (The Achiever) is goal-oriented and results-driven. They may thrive on measurable progress but benefit from slowing down and reconnecting with internal cues.
Type 4 (The Individualist) needs wellness to feel personal and meaningful. If it feels generic or uninspired, it’s hard to stick with.
Type 5 (The Investigator) researches everything. They may spend time analyzing the “best” plan before starting — but once they commit, they go deep.
Type 6 (The Loyalist) values structure and safety. Routine can feel grounding, but flexibility and trusting themselves can be growth areas.
Type 7 (The Enthusiast) craves variety and freedom. Repetitive plans feel restrictive, so they do best with built-in novelty.
Type 8 (The Challenger) brings intensity and strength. They may push hard and resist being told what to do — balancing power with recovery is key.
Type 9 (The Peacemaker) seeks harmony and comfort. They can deprioritize their own needs, so wellness works best when it feels peaceful and connected.

The Enneagram isn’t about boxing yourself in. It’s about noticing patterns — and choosing how you want to grow.

Check out Abbey’s book here which offers approachable exercises and journal prompts to make the Enneagram even more actionable in daily life — perfect if you want to dive deeper.