Enneagram Type 2: The Helper
Type Twos live by the belief that giving returns abundance. People who identify as Enneagram Type Two, also known as Helpers or Givers, are purely motivated by the desire to serve others. While their motivations vary - some view giving as essential to building relationships and others enjoy feeling needed - Helpers are incredibly generous and always willing to lend a hand.
Understanding what makes the Helper type tick can benefit anyone who identifies as Enneagram Type 2 or has a Type Two in their life.
Amongst the nine enneagram personality types, Helpers are known for giving to others what they themselves need. By understanding this behavior, you can better recognize and appreciate the contributions of these social souls and support them when they neglect their own needs.
Motivation: Helpers are deeply social beings who build connections by anticipating needs and supporting others. Whether they're lending a listening ear to a loved one or taking on additional assignments to ease another’s workload, they find immense satisfaction in knowing they're making a difference. They are motivated by an unyielding dedication to uplifting others.
The Struggle: Helpers read a room by sensing the needs of those around them. Without attending to their own needs first, Helpers tend to get over-involved in others’ lives and forget to take care of themselves. This cycle can lead to codependent relationships and leave loving Helpers feeling victimized as they mistakenly take responsibility for others’ problems. Anyone in conflict with a Type Two can easily exploit their basic fear of being seen as selfish to manipulate these tender-hearted types to their advantage.
The Win: Healthy twos are able to give from a place of fearless abundance when setting personal boundaries and planning self-care into their routines. When Helpers say "no" to others to care for themselves, they earn the recognition they deserve. Those with Enneagram 2 type who serve from a place of self-compassion instead of self inflation are often leaders in their communities.
Enneagram Type 2 Overview
Enneagram Twos view doing for others as the ultimate expression of love. There are two variations of this enneagram type: the two one-wing (2w1) and two three-wing (2w3).
“The Servant” 2w1; focused on the rules, ethics and moral duty to do for others
“The Host” 2W3; is driven by achieving influence and recognition
This personality type learning involves transforming pride into humility, attending to their needs first.
All Type twos share the following personality traits:
Naturally empathetic: Type Twos are naturally attuned to the emotions and needs of others, and they genuinely care about them. They thrive on social interactions and find purpose in creating strong community connections.
Motivated by appreciation and approval: They may seek affirmation, to feel loved and appreciation tying their self-worth to their ability to please others.
Generous to the point of self-sacrifice: they love to give their time, energy, and resources to help others, often putting others' needs before their own. Despite their helpfulness and generosity, Type Twos may struggle to set healthy rules and prioritize their own needs.
Type 2 Habits, Addictions and Guilty Pleasures
Twos fear being unwanted, unloved or rejected, and often project these fears into their relationships.
Helpers are “checkers”, often developing habits around making connections and ensuring that those around them are happy.
For example, an Enneagram 2 may have a daily habit of checking in on loved ones, sending texts, or making calls to ensure everyone is doing okay.
This can help them build healthy relationships, but if it interferes with their own needs, it can fuel unhealthy social dependency. Type Twos can develop codependency when their giving nature becomes excessive and impacts their well-being in depth.
Unhealthy twos may find themselves compulsively taking care of others, spending too much time attending to other people's needs, or seeking validation from them to the point where it becomes emotionally draining.
This can lead to manipulative romantic relationships and addictive behaviors such as overeating, overspending, or even substance abuse.
It’s no surprise that enneagram 2s indulge in comfort foods to self-soothe when feeling overwhelmed. They may also have a secret obsession with being seen as warm and helpful and may go to great lengths to ensure that others perceive them as warm hearted, generous and caring.
Setting healthy personal boundaries is crucial for Type twos to keep a healthy balance and avoid burnout. For example, an Enneagram two may not offer to help someone if it means sacrificing their own self-care time.
In turn, these decisions empower them to continue helping others in a sustainable way.
Type 2 Productivity & Planning Style
Because Enneagram 2s are so deeply motivated by connecting with others, they are at their most productive when working in social environments.
They may not be as naturally inclined to plan as other Enneagram types, but Helpers can still create effective strategies and systems to help them stay organized and focused.
However, Helpers may need help with putting too much on their plate in the process of helping others, leading to burnout and stress.
To maintain a healthy balance, Enneagram 2s may benefit from setting realistic goals and prioritizing their tasks based on what is most important.
They may also benefit from delegating tasks to others and seeking support when needed. By doing so, Type Twos can continue to be productive while taking care of their own needs.
Purposeful Practices for Enneagram Personality Type 2
Mindfulness meditations, gratitude journals, and affirmations are some practices that are key to finding balance and meaning in life.
Focusing on practices that align with specific strengths and challenges can help Givers deepen awareness around the purpose behind their commitments to others, and support them in personal and spiritual development.
For Type Twos, purposeful practices may involve setting aside time to connect with themselves rather than always putting other people's lives first.
They may also benefit from practicing self-compassion and setting healthy boundaries to avoid burnout.
As they are known for their giving nature and urge to help others, they need to set boundaries and prioritize time in their schedule for their own well-being.
Purposeful practices that focus on self-compassion, like mindfulness, can help Enneagram 2 s maintain a healthy balance, nurture their emotional energy and continue to be a positive force in the lives of those around them.
Type 2 Mindfulness Tips
Tune in to your emotions: As an emotionally intuitive type, Givers have a gift for sensing and understanding others' feelings. When it comes to caring for themselves, Helpers can benefit from the grounding practice of tuning into their own emotions as well! While any emotional awareness technique can help, a 10-20 minute meditation on exploring the emotional landscape is a good place to start.
Nurturing acts of self-care: Enneagram 2s tend to put others' needs above their own. They do well to remember that they deserve love and kindness too! Helpers should take time every day to practice small moments of indulgent self-care, perhaps taking a relaxing bath, letting go with a glass of wine, or using aromatherapy to help transition between activities during the day.
Practice daily gratitude: On bad days, Enneagram 2s view their day as an endless laundry list of thankless tasks for others. Cultivating gratitude helps Givers recognize the why behind their actions and focus on the most meaningful tasks while letting go of resentment. Simply taking 10 minutes at the end of each day to list everything they’re grateful for is a powerful place to start.
Type 2 Affirmations
I am worthy of love and care, just as I am.
My needs and feelings are important, and deserve to be acknowledged.
I am allowed to take care of myself without feeling guilty or selfish.
My kindness and generosity come from a place of strength, not weakness.
I trust in my ability to balance my own needs with the needs of others.