Enneagram Type 2: Positive Affirmations for Path of Growth

Overview of Enneagram Type 2: The Helper, Partner, Nurturer

If you are an Enneagram Type 2, you are extremely helpful, considerate, compassionate, empathetic, generous and loving. You are like Mother Theresa. You feel guided by the mission to save the world.

For you, going out of the way to help others makes life meaningful. Your life feels enriched when you have friends, family, connection, sharing and support. You inspire the world to be of service to one another.

Enneagram Grid

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” – Mother Theresa

Because you strive to never be lonely, you are often surrounded by people. Others are naturally drawn to your compliant energy because they know that they can count on you. You are like the pillar of strength and support. You enjoy seeing the good in everyone. Because of your positive attitude, your presence makes others feel uplifted.

You absolutely glow with pride when others show and feel appreciation. You are drawn to people with power, because they vibrate the energy of influence that you desire. You enjoy make yourself appealing by being indispensable.

Type 2 role models that change the world include Paramahansa Yogananda, Byron Katie, Pope John XXIII, Guru Ammaji (“The Hugging Saint”), Mary Magdalene, Nancy Reagon, Eleanor Roosevelt, Nancy Reagan, Stevie Wonder and not forgetting, Mother Theresa.

The Shadow Side of Enneagram Type 2: The People Pleaser, Manipulator

“Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.” — Mother Teresa

When not in balance, the Type 2s can be self-sacrificing. It happens when you go out of your way to help others excessively. Pushing your own needs to the background, you rush to roll up your selves to assist those with problems or in destitute. Invariably, you become a people pleaser. It is hard for you to say “no” or reject the requests of others.

The problem is that when you keep putting the needs of others in front of you, you become depleted in energy. Over time, you could even build resentment. You are not able to sufficiently meet your own needs. At the same time, you develop the belief that the world is a selfish one, by taking and taking away from you.

It is hard for you to ask for what you truly want. In order to put up the appearance of The Helper, you feel compelled to deny and repress your own feelings. The problem with accumulating emotions is that there is a high chance of erupting in an explosive manner eventually. This unravels the inauthenticity of your generosity, leading to a breakdown in the relationships that you have wanted to build in the first place.

In an unconscious state, your giving is laced with conditions and expectations. You are likely to project your own needs to others especially your family members. Even as you render assistance, you are secretly (and subconsciously) hoping for something back in return. This may take the form of approval or some validation of your self-worth.

Others are not likely to take too kindly if they perceive you as interfering, nosy and bossy. When you offer help that is not solicited, they may not be receptive. In an effort to have your way, you may even become manipulative and promise more than you can deliver. The Type 2 ego has a tendency to become overly dramatic at this juncture.

Your ego tends to be invested in the need to feel needed. The need to feel needed justifies the reason for existence in an unconscious Type 2. Your unconscious driver is pride in being indispensible. Because your basic fear is about not being loved, you can become clingy and possessive.

Opportunities for Growth for Enneagram Type 2

“I want to love you without clutching, appreciate you without judging, join you without invading, invite you without demanding, leave you without guilt, criticize you without blaming, and help you without insulting. If I can have the same from you, then we can truly meet and enrich each other.” – Virginia Satir

Your spiritual path is to reclaim humility. You release the pride that prevents you from receiving and you gain the awareness that you have been giving to get love. Giving that is loaded comes with expectation. It is not true giving. You are giving in order to avoid your basic fear of being unloved.

It is important to make the distinction between meeting one’s own emotional needs and being needy. To acknowledge your feelings is positive. However, to become reliant in a way that is clingy and draining can turn others off. The consequence is creating a dysfunctional relationship.

The paths of growth are represented by the lines that each Enneagram type are connected to. For Enneagram Type 2, the two paths are towards adopting the healthy traits of Type 4 and Type 8.

With the Type 4 energy, you learn about being emotionally present to yourself. This usually involves making space for alone time. You take the time for self-care and nurture.

You also empower yourself when you adopt healthy Type 8 energy, by asking for what you want clearly and openly. Instead of blaming or making others guilty, you take responsibility in having your needs met. You don’t have to tackle problems or shoulder everything alone, ask for help whenever possible.

All in, you love and give unconditionally. You are great with relationships. You are aware that developing healthy and balanced relationships with others is key to happiness.

“Love is always bestowed as a gift – freely, willingly and without expectation. We don’t love to be loved; we love to love.” — Leo Buscaglia

Positive Affirmations for Enneagram Type 2

I love others and myself unconditionally.
I give sincerely from my heart.
I have healthy emotional needs.
I am present to my emotional needs.
I am loved for who I am.
I am lovable.
I am comfortable in my own skin.
I am confident of myself.
I establish healthy boundaries between others and myself.
I undertake self-care.
I am willing to acknowledge my negative emotions.
I feel accepted for who I am.
I am clear about my intentions.
I am able to express and ask for what I want.

Round-The-Enneagram Series

I am on a Round-The-Enneagram tour, covering all 9 Enneagram Types in turn. Over the course of 9 weeks, I will be laying out positive affirmations aimed at serving the path of growth for each Enneagram Type. Here are the links to the previous two articles:

Enneagram Quiz: How would You Cross the River?

Enneagram Type 1: Positive Affirmations for Path of Growth

The Enneagram is a tool for transcendence. Through the grid of the Enneagram, you learn about integrating your highest values and embracing your shadow side. By releasing ego attachments and affirming the path of growth, you are on the way to gaining spiritual wholeness.

Love and Abundance Always,

evelyn lim signature