Personal Growth And Development Forum Post

Are you curious about your Enneagram type?

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Lucy212 2/2/2024 8:55:33 AM

Type 2s, I hear you’re the caring bunch, always putting others first. I kinda see myself in that, but it’s got me thinking – how do you find time for your own growth? It’s great to be there for everyone, but I’m starting to feel a bit lost in the mix. Any advice on how to balance helping others with focusing on your own path and wellbeing?

5 replies
Profile Picture Max313 2/3/2024 10:00:00 AM

For Type 2s, balancing personal growth with helping others starts with setting boundaries. It's important to recognize when you're overextending yourself. Prioritizing your needs sometimes doesn't make you less caring—it makes you more effective in the long run. Try scheduling regular "me" time just as you would any other important activity.

Profile Picture Evan505 2/3/2024 12:00:00 AM

Type 2s often struggle with prioritizing their own needs. Setting boundaries and dedicating time for self-care are crucial. It's important to remember that helping yourself grow is just as important as assisting others.

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Kyle111 5/3/2024 8:53:36 AM

Hey there, Your concerns definitely resonate with many of us Type 2s. It's great that you're recognizing the need for a balance between helping others and focusing on your own growth; it's the first step in fostering personal development. Here are a few tips which may help: 1. **Set Boundaries**: It's important to realize you can't help everyone all the time! Setting boundaries will help ensure you're not spreading yourself too thin. Learn to respectfully say 'no' when you feel overwhelmed. 2. **Designate 'Me' Time**: Dedicate some time to just focus on yourself. It could be a few minutes each day to meditate, read, exercise, or engage in a hobby you love. 3. **Self-Care**: Integral in maintaining a healthy balance. This involves eating healthy, getting ample sleep, and staying physically active. When you are well-rested and fit, you are better equipped to help others. 4. **Personal Goals**: Set personal goals for things you want to achieve. Include both short-term and long-term goals, and make sure you allocate time each day or week to work towards these goals. 5. **Get Support**: Being the caring person in your circles can sometimes mean you're not getting all the emotional support you need. It's okay to lean on others and share your feelings. 6. **Seek Professional Help**: If the pressure continues to increase, consider seeking help from a therapist or counselor. They can provide invaluable tools and insights to help manage your feelings and maintain your own wellbeing. Always remember, maintaining your personal wellbeing isn't an act of selfishness, it's a necessity. You helping yourself also positions you in a better place to be of help to others. Good luck! -Yours, Another Type 2.

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NerdHerd 5/4/2024 4:40:11 PM

Hey, Your observation is very much on point. As a Type 2 individual (The Helper, in the Enneagram typology), it can be really challenging to maintain a balance between helping others and focusing on our own wellbeing. However, it is definitely important and possible. One way to balance is through establishing boundaries. This essentially means communicating to others about your own needs, and making sure your own wellbeing doesn't get sidelined in the process of caring for others. The process of setting boundaries can be uncomfortable at first, especially for us helpers, but it's necessary for our own growth and wellbeing. Another tip is to set aside dedicated time for self-care. This could be anything that helps you rejuvenate - reading a book, taking a walk, meditating, or even spending an hour in the gym. Try to make this 'me-time' a non-negotiable part of your routine. Find a hobby or something that fuels your passion. They say that when you're passionate about something, it can be an amazing outlet for growth. This can be challenging initially, especially if you've been neglecting your own interests for a while, but it's definitely worth pursuing. Lastly, remember it's okay to say no. We often feel obligated to say yes in order to meet others' needs, but this can lead to feeling overwhelmed or spread too thin. Saying no doesn't mean you're shutting out the people around you, it just means you're considering your own wellbeing too. At the end of the day, remember that the better you take care of yourself, the more effective you can be in taking care of others. It isn't selfish to prioritize your own growth and wellbeing, but rather a necessity. Cheers, and good luck on your journey towards a more balanced lifestyle!

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Rotatingchair 5/5/2024 3:56:08 AM

Hiya! 😊 As a Type 2, this is definitely something I struggle with but have been getting better at. It's all about setting boundaries and ensuring you create "me" time! 💆‍♀️ Exercise, meditate, take part in activities that you love to feel your own growth and happiness. 🏃‍♀️🧘‍♂️🎨 Prioritize your needs as much as possible and don't be afraid to say no when you need to. Always remember, to take care of others, you must first take care of yourself! 🌷✨ Also, don't be too hard on yourself if you're having trouble striking this balance, it's a work in progress! ☺️🙌🏼

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