How to Create Self Compassion, based on Your Enneagram Type

Have you ever consider how you can lean into and cultivate self-compassion.  Self compassion can simply mean to give yourself the kindness and grace that you give to a loved one or a friend. So often we are so much harder on ourselves than we would even dream of bing to someone else.

You don’t have to demand perfection from yourself. You are allowed to make mistakes. You need care when you are suffering, too. Allow for each of those things for yourself.

According to Dr. Kristin Neff, a self-compassion expert, explained that there are three elements of self-compassion.  The three elements include:

1. Self-Kindness: Instead of criticizing or judging yourself, focus on being accepting, warm and understanding when you make mistakes or fail.
2. Common Humanity: Remember that suffering or failing happens to everyone. It’s part of life and something that everyone experiences, at times.
3. Mindfulness: Instead of over-identifying with your emotions and negative thoughts, you can just observe them without avoiding or focusing on them.

The following illustrations give us five examples of how to practice self compassion for each Enneagram Type. Make sure to not only review the illustration for your Type, but for the other types, too. Each of these tips could be useful to each Type.

Self Compassion for Enneagram Type 1s

Here are five tips for practicing self compassion for type 1s:

• Stand up to your inner critic
• Remember that self compassion will not make you complacent
• When lacking self compassions, you may replay situations in your mind, wondering if you did or said the “right” thing
• Let yourself make mistakes without judgment
• Ask yourself how you treat a friend in the same situation

 

Self Compassion for Enneagram Type 2s

Here are five tips for practicing self compassion for type 2s:

• Remember that self compassion does not mean your are selfish
• When lacking self compassions, you may feel tense and suffer from chronic headaches
• Practice a Loving Kindness meditation
• Give yourself supportive touch
• Make time to do things that you truly love doing

 

Self Compassion for Enneagram Type 3s

Here are five tips for practicing self compassion for Type 3s:

• Remember er that self compassion does not mean weakness
• When lacking self compassion, you may neglect work and hobbies
• Take a break to focus on self kindness
• Cultivate self acceptance
• Write out your feelings and insecurities

 

Self Compassion for Enneagram Type 4s

Here are five tips for practicing self compassion for Type 4s:

• Remember that self compassion is not a form of self pity
• When lacking self compassion, you may live in the past or the future an struggle to focus on the present
• Keep a self compassion journal
• Identify and focus on what matters most
• Let go of external validation

Self Compassion for Enneagram Type 5s

Here are the five tips for practicing self compassion for Type 5s:

• Find some Releasing Statements (self forgiveness) to repeat
• When lacking self compassion, you may fail to prioritize your physical health
• Let go of negativity
• Remember self compassion in not narcissistic
• Create connections with others

 

Self Compassion for Enneagram Type 6s

Here are five tips for practicing self compassion for Type 6s:

• Try to avoid focusing on negative judgments or assumptions
• When lacking self compassion, you may experience chronic anxiety symptoms
• Focus on being in community
• Remember that having self compassion is not being self obsessed
• Stop focusing on “shoulds”

 

Self Compassion for Enneagram Type 7s

Here are 5 tips for practicing self compassion for Type 7s:

• Embrace a mindset that does not equate behaviors or actions with labels
• When lacking self compassion, you may rely on alcohol or other numbing susbstance
• Let go of an past criticisms you hold onto
• Remember having self compassion is not demotivating
• Forgive yourself

 

Self Compassion for Enneagram Type 8s

Here are five tips for practicing self compassion for Type 8s:

• Remember having self compassion is not a sign of weakness
• When lacking self compassion, you may start prioritizing the wrong things
• Speak (and think) kindly about yourself
• Cultivate a growth mindset
• Stop assuming how others see you

 

Self Compassion for Enneagram Type 9s

Here are five tips for practicing self compassion for Type 9s:

• Remember having self compassion does not mean you have blind acceptance
• When lacking self compassion, you may start procrastinating on every day tasks
• Identify what you really want and need
• Cultivate a mentality of common humanity
• Recognize negative feelings and don’t just push them aside