E55: Stop Using Your Enneagram Type as an Excuse: Turning “I Am” Labels into Growth episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 12, 2026 · 56 MIN

E55: Stop Using Your Enneagram Type as an Excuse: Turning “I Am” Labels into Growth

from Enneagram Adventure · host Tannah Flora and Holly Deschenes

On the Enneagram Adventure podcast, Tannah and Holly discuss how people turn “I am” statements into identity labels—often using their Enneagram type as an excuse for behavior—rather than using awareness to build new capacity. Citing a therapist’s post, they explain that labels create certainty, but once a pattern becomes “who you are,” you stop challenging it and start protecting it. They explore examples across types: ones using perfectionism or being “hard to read,” twos excusing overhelping as caring, threes using adaptability in ways that can feel inauthentic, fours attaching to emotions and avoiding hard conversations, fives identifying with not knowing enough, sixes over-planning worst-case scenarios, sevens avoiding discomfort to stay fun and free, eights resisting control even in small requests, and nines avoiding conflict by default. They invite listeners to reflect, share experiences, and follow the show on platforms and Substack.00:00 Spring Forward Chaos00:19 Solo Parenting Storm Night02:33 Doomscrolling And Creating03:35 Podcast Intro And Enneagram04:30 Excuses And I Am Labels08:52 Type Two And Five Patterns10:16 Post On Identity Labels16:53 Childhood Labels And Maturity20:52 Type One Perfection Stories24:58 Type Three Chameleon Energy31:01 Boundaries Feel Clunky31:53 Type Four Identity Labels32:51 Four Emotions Rollercoaster35:26 People Pleasing Confrontations37:29 Parenting Emotions Left Out38:43 Type Six Prepared Anxiety40:20 Worst Case Scenario Planning43:44 Type Seven Fun Freedom47:19 Type Eight Control Resistance52:47 Type Nine Conflict Avoidance55:20 Wrap Up Listener TakeawaysEmail the Podcast : [email protected] us:https://www.instagram.com/enneagramadventure/https://www.tiktok.com/@enneagram.adventu?_t=ZT-8tydSisg9ra&_r=1https://substack.com/@enneagramadventureListen to the Pod Here:https://open.spotify.com/show/7A3DMdipKzElgEMD47XU6whttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enneagram-adventure/id1792658956

On the Enneagram Adventure podcast, Tannah and Holly discuss how people turn “I am” statements into identity labels—often using their Enneagram type as an excuse for behavior—rather than using awareness to build new capacity. Citing a therapist’s post, they explain that labels create certainty, but once a pattern becomes “who you are,” you stop challenging it and start protecting it. They explore examples across types: ones using perfectionism or being “hard to read,” twos excusing overhelping as caring, threes using adaptability in ways that can feel inauthentic, fours attaching to emotions and avoiding hard conversations, fives identifying with not knowing enough, sixes over-planning worst-case scenarios, sevens avoiding discomfort to stay fun and free, eights resisting control even in small requests, and nines avoiding conflict by default. They invite listeners to reflect, share experiences, and follow the show on platforms and Substack. 00:00 Spring Forward Chaos 00:19 Solo Parenting Storm Night 02:33 Doomscrolling And Creating 03:35 Podcast Intro And Enneagram 04:30 Excuses And I Am Labels 08:52 Type Two And Five Patterns 10:16 Post On Identity Labels 16:53 Childhood Labels And Maturity 20:52 Type One Perfection Stories 24:58 Type Three Chameleon Energy 31:01 Boundaries Feel Clunky 31:53 Type Four Identity Labels 32:51 Four Emotions Rollercoaster 35:26 People Pleasing Confrontations 37:29 Parenting Emotions Left Out 38:43 Type Six Prepared Anxiety 40:20 Worst Case Scenario Planning 43:44 Type Seven Fun Freedom 47:19 Type Eight Control Resistance 52:47 Type Nine Conflict Avoidance 55:20 Wrap Up Listener Takeaways Email the Podcast : [email protected] Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/enneagramadventure/ https://www.tiktok.com/@enneagram.adventu?_t=ZT-8tydSisg9ra&_r=1 https://substack.com/@enneagramadventure

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E55: Stop Using Your Enneagram Type as an Excuse: Turning “I Am” Labels into Growth

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This episode was published on March 12, 2026.

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On the Enneagram Adventure podcast, Tannah and Holly discuss how people turn “I am” statements into identity labels—often using their Enneagram type as an excuse for behavior—rather than using awareness to build new capacity. Citing a therapist’s...

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