Enneagram Type 5

[basic]

So I'm an enneagram type 5w6. I'm curious to see how other type 5s feel about being this type (positives and negatives). I'm also curious to see how 5s come across to others (again, positive and negative aspects).

Personally, I definitely exude the stereotypical "detachment" 5s are said to have. With a lot of things, I find that ultimately, it simply does not matter...and I don't mean this in a negative way. I just feel that a lot of things are superfluous, and I'd rather not spend my energy fussing with them. This may seem like a negative, but to me it's really about focus. My view is that a lot of things end up being meaningless, but the meaningful things (people, values, ideas) in my life are what I spend my energy on. In stressful situations, I feel that I can detach myself from the situation and look at it objectively and ultimately choose the best course of action. I think my objectiveness sometimes comes across as emotionless or cold...apathetic even. I'm an INFJ and I have actually questioned my Fness because of this.

I also have a hard time participating in some conversations (on the forums, for example) because I feel that the overall discussion ultimately is meaningless. This is not to be confused for thinking that a topic of discussions doesn't matter. I think people should be very aware of things like current events, but they also need to do their own thinking and not buy into the media. The "meaninglessness" in getting all excited about a news story is the hype and emotion attached to it. People typically don't look beyond what is presented to them (in this case, the media) and don't question anything; they simply react. I care a lot about these topics, but I don't care to discuss them most of the time because the discussion often becomes meaningless with most people. In the end, I have a lot to say but I choose not to always say it because a lot of emotion is put into it and ends up not being productive.

*sorry for this borderline rant*

When it comes to interacting with others, what I choose to focus on is typically neutral and concrete things. I tend to avoid heavy subjects. I guess in terms of MBTI this may make me come across as an S, at least on the forums.

 

[bagelriffic]

yeah i can relate to how youre feeling here with the avoidance of conflict, im a 5w4. i mean its pretty easy to justify - holding on to ones opinions, i mean really why does it matter? most people are going to listen to your opinion on something and then do their own thing anyway so why not detach and keep it neutral?

well i think the point is that we can't always avoid conflict even if most of the time it works out well, and when we are put in a do or die situation, we have no skills with it bc we always detach, i mean that Is our skill; remaining neutral. so as a 5 i try to make myself speak my mind and opinions more often, not bc i really care, but bc its going against the self replicating behavior of detachment, forcing me to work on this weak spot.

the other aspect i think is pretty important and that i have a problem with is greed. greed with my energy/resources stuff like that. usually what i try to do to get around this is when i feel intruded on, i let them understand im not cool with that, but then i make myself go and do it anyway. this way im not repressing anger, they might understand where im coming from (i even explained it to my sis one day about the enneagram) and then i go ahead and spend time with them anyway. it forces me to be social and lenient with what i consider so valuable, which really is just another step forward in convincing myself its not really all that important.

so greed and neutrality i think are the big ones for me, i just set up an alarm in my mind for when im starting to detach and mentally pull myself back, its a hell of a habit to break. but i think its important to remember and note that our path of integration lies at point 8, so the more 8ish we act, the healthier/less stressful we become. confrontation isn't fun, but what i gain from it has been more than worth it for me specifically, and reduced alot of the anxiety i was living with.

 

[KazeCraven]

I think talking about news stories or similar things is more about wanting to share your opinion rather than thinking it will accomplish anything.

In regards to being a 5, I'd say it's very much an mindset of minimalism. What can be cut? What matters? What doesn't? I think the problem ends up being that, from some perspectives, we reach the conclusion of 'nothing matters, everything can be cut'. I have hit this conclusion before. The obvious solution is that the perspective needs to be reformulated.

I think my greatest pitfall is in thinking I can conceptualize reality so well that I can truly pinpoint what can be cut and what is necessary. On the bright side, all this thinking makes me understand things much better than most people. Other people focus their energy elsewhere, and they get respective strengths by doing so.