What is the enneagram core fear?
Each type has a core desire, core fear, core weakness, and core longing. The core desires are the underlying motivation and desire that drives each type. It’s what each type is striving to make a reality in their lives. On the flip side, each type has a core fear. The core fear is also a motivator, but rather than something each type is striving for, it’s what each type is actively avoiding in their life. The four core motivations for each type (desire, fear, weakness, and longing) are important to understand.
Why understanding the core fears of each type matters
By identifying the core fear of your type, you will better understand what you’re avoiding in your life, and will likely uncover this being one of the main reasons for feeling stuck or having repeating patterns in your life that you’re not happy with, whether that be in your personal life, relationships, career, etc. Identifying your type’s core fear will bring more awareness to how this plays out in your life, and help you see when and how to make adjustments for growth.
Type 1 core fear
Type 1s (The Reformers) are driven by the desire to be right, ethical, correct, and to have integrity. They can be perfectionistic, principled, and orderly people.
The core fear for Type 1s is being wrong, unethical, corrupt, incorrect, immoral/evil, or unredeemable.
Type 1s can sometimes struggle with letting go of the need for things to be done the right way (or their way.) This can cause them to be uptight, judgmental, and critical of themselves and others.
By learning to let go of that need for perfection, and letting go of the idea that being correct/perfect/ethical, etc. is the only way to have self-worth, value, and validation, Type 1s can find peace and relieve the stress of having to do everything themselves, which is a common form of burnout for this type.
Type 2 core fear
The core fear for the Type 2s (The Helpers) is being unlovable, unworthy of love, and unappreciated. They also fear being rejected, worthless, and not needed.
This core fear is something that the Type 2s are actively trying to avoid. By believing that their self-worth and value come from supporting, nurturing, and giving to others, they can overextend themselves for the sake of others and suppress their own needs, often leading to burnout and resentment if appreciation and love is not reciprocated in the way they seek.
Type 2s can learn to grow from this by letting go of the constant need to take care of others, being willing to take care of themselves, and setting boundaries. This can be difficult, I understand, but by focusing on caring for yourself and taking time for yourself, you’ll be able to better support others in an authentic and genuine way, rather than doing so out of the feeling of obligations or expectations of others.
Type 3 core fear
The core fear of the Type 3s (The Achievers) is failing, being exposed, and being thought of as incompetent, incapable, or unsuccessful.
They counteract this fear by being driven and working hard to portray a successful and accomplished image, almost at any cost. This can cause the Type 3s to suppress their authentic needs and desires for the sake of validation from others for their accomplishments and what they do.
Type 3s can find growth by being able to let go of the opinions and validation of others, and to tap into their own self-discovery, and identify their own needs, values, desires, and interests. With a Type 3s incredible drive, by getting tuned in to their own desires, they can accomplish things that are actually meaningful to them.
Type 4 core fear
Type 4s (The Individualists) will often express that they feel like outsiders, like they don’t belong or fit in with those around them, especially in childhood. Their desire is to stand out and to have significance and make an impact in the world by being authentic and real to themselves. This can look like self-expression through creative pursuits, such as writing, art, music, etc. or even things such as how they dress, their hobbies and interests, and the values and causes they support.
The core fear of Type 4s is to be inadequate, plain, mundane, and viewed as broken, flawed, and insignificant. As I mentioned before, Type 4s are very much driven by being unique and having significance and an identity. I think that all of us strive to have significance, but for a Type 4 this is one of the most important factors – that their lives have meaning. Type 4s tend to say that they are constantly looking to discover their purpose and find a significant way to turn their pain into purpose to make an impact.
Type 4s can find growth by taking action on the things that ultimately matter to them, by outwardly sharing their values and ideals with others, and by connecting with others rather than isolating themselves due to their perception of being flawed.
Type 5 core fear
The core fear of the Type 5s (The Investigators) is to be incompetent and unprepared as well as being engulfed and overtaken by the demands of others, not existing, and being depleted of all of their energy.
A Type 5s energy can be drained quickly, especially by social interactions and demands from others. Type 5s feel that if they can’t manage their energy and withdraw into their minds, where they feel safest, that they will be depleted to the point of no return.
Type 5s tend to want to have space, independence, alone time, time to think and learn and research, and to be knwoledeable and competent. However, they can get stuck in a loop – if they continue to research and prepare and learn but never take action, then they won’t make any tangible progress or gain real-world experience with anything. It all becomes theoretical and never practical until action is taken.
A Type 5 can find growth by being able to step out of their mind or default mode of observation, and instead participate, take action, and connect with others. It helps to understand that you are capable to get through different situations in life practically, and that you do know enough or can figure it out.
Yes, I understand that this can be draining; however, you will find more balance and fulfillment by getting out of your head and isolation, and instead connecting with others, sharing your knowledge and helping others, as well as being more capable and competent in situations by getting real-world experience.
Type 6 core fear
The core fear of the Enneagram Type 6 is being without security or guidance, being targeted/blamed, being alone or abandoned, and the fear of fear itself.
Though we all experience fear and anxiety, this is outwardly apparent for many Type 6s because they desire to have security and guidance, being prepared for every scenario, and being on high alert. Type 6s can be very reactive when under stress and can have trouble fully trusting others.
Type 6s are known to be dependable and loyal people, sometimes even loyal to a fault to those they trust. In average to unhealthy states, Type 6s can have difficulties trusting their own decisions and thoughts. Therefore, they tend to be more community or group-oriented, leaning on the support of others for guidance, security, and safety. Though 6s are loyal people, if you break a Type 6’s trust, that is something that can be nearly impossible to gain back.
An Enneagram Type 6 can find growth by learning to lean on their own thoughts and decisions, trusting themselves more, and becoming more confident that they have the knowledge and resources to navigate uncertainty.
Type 7 core fear
Known as being people who highly value freedom, exploration, ideation, and having new experiences, it makes sense that the Type 7’s core fear is to feel stuck or trapped in life, feeling deprived and like they’re missing out on things, and being trapped in emotional pain.
Whether it’s a job, a relationship, or some other life circumstance, a Type 7 can feel suffocated by feeling unable to have flexibility and freedom.
An Enneagram Type 7 can find growth by being willing to sit in the present moment, even if it’s not-so-positive feelings that need to be processed, doing hard things that need to be done, or simply focusing on who they’re around or what they’re doing rather than planning for the future or fantasizing of what they’d rather be doing to escape the feeling of feeling trapped or bored or stuck.
Type 8 core fear
The core fear of an Enneagram Type 8 is to be controlled by others, being weak, powerless, harmed, and at the mercy of injustice.
Type 8s desire to be in control, to have autonomy, and to not be subjected to or controlled by the demands of other people. Because of this, as well as their fear of being controlled by others, they hesitate (and often altogether refuse) to be vulnerable, to open up to others, and to let others in, instead choosing to have a tough exterior and push back against what others say or do.
Type 8s can find growth by being willing to trust others, open up and share their heart/feelings, and to be more vulnerable with those they trust. By sharing their heart and connections with others, they can be able to give freely to others, help and support others, and develop deeper and more meaningful relationships.
Type 9 core fear
Enneagram Type 9s seek peace and harmony in their internal and external environments, almost at any cost. While peace and harmony is a great thing to strive for, the downside is this peacekeeping can mean suppressing their own needs, not asserting themselves, and falling asleep to their own desires in order to keep the peace and not upset others.
It makes sense, then, that the core fear of the Type 9s is loss and separation from others, being in conflict/discord with others, and feeling shut out and overlooked. For a Type 9, losing connection with other people, feeling alone and unnecessary or unwanted can feel like one of the worst things possible.
A Type 9 can find growth by understanding that their own needs and desires are important too. They will find that keeping the peace and focusing on others needs above their own can lead to unresolved anger and resentment and finding themselves unhappy and unfulfilled. Your have a voice, and your voice matters. Get in touch with your and express it, because it matters just as much as anyone else’s.
Do you relate to the core fears of your Enneagram type?
Do you know your Enneagram type? If not, learn about each Enneagram type’s core motivations in this post. Understanding the core motivation is the foundational piece of finding your Enneagram type. Regardless of what tests or other people say, only you know your true motivations.
