Feeling Stuck? Discover the Root of Your Paralysis with Enneagram Insights
Do you feel completely overwhelmed, unsure of what step to take next? Life can sometimes feel like a never-ending to-do list, with family responsibilities, work demands, and personal aspirations all vying for your attention. It’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of analysis paralysis, unable to move forward or even just know where to start.
I get it—I've been there, too. As a busy mom and entrepreneur, I know how it feels to stand at a crossroads, looking at too many choices and feeling paralyzed. But what if you could think about your thinking for a minute (aka “metacognition”) and discover that the reason why you’re feeling stuck might actually help you get unstuck?
Understanding Your Response Center
The Enneagram identifies three centers of intelligence and groups the nine types based on which center they lead with: the Head (thinking center: types 5, 6, 7), the Heart (feeling center: types 2, 3, 4), and the Gut (doing center: types 8, 9, 1). These triads reflect how we instinctively respond to information and situations. Each of us tends to rely more heavily on one center, while simultaneously repressing or underutilizing another. While it’s helpful to understand which center you lead with, an even more transformative insight comes from recognizing your repressed center, known as your stance.
Here’s where it gets interesting—and how the Enneagram can be a game-changer for figuring out why you’re stuck. Let’s take a look at the three stances and how each one might contribute to that feeling of paralysis:
Withdrawing Stance (Types 4, 5, 9)
These types repress the "doing" center, which means they often struggle to get into action. If you’re in this group, you might know what needs to be done, or even have a detailed plan in your head, but taking that first step feels impossible. It’s not that you don’t care—it’s that the path from “thinking” to “doing” is blurry. You might find yourself caught up in daydreams or analyzing the situation from every angle but never actually starting.
How to get unstuck: Try breaking tasks into the smallest possible steps and start with just one. Sometimes, the hardest part is simply beginning, but once you do, momentum can carry you forward.
Aggressive Stance (Types 3, 7, 8)
These types repress the "feeling" center, meaning they tend to avoid or bypass emotions when making decisions. You might find yourself constantly in motion, tackling tasks left and right, but struggling to slow down and consider how you’re really feeling. This can lead to burnout or making decisions that don’t align with what you truly want or need because you're moving forward without pausing to reflect.
How to get unstuck: Take time to check in with yourself emotionally. It doesn’t have to be deep or time-consuming—just ask yourself, “How do I really feel about this?” You may be surprised at how acknowledging your feelings can give you clarity on your next step.
Dependent Stance (Types 1, 2, 6)
These types repress the "thinking" center, which means they often have trouble thinking objectively or clearly under pressure. You might be highly productive, running around checking off boxes and helping others, but feel overwhelmed by indecision when it comes to bigger, personal decisions. Sometimes, your thoughts are scattered or tied up in anxiety, making it difficult to focus on what actually needs to be done.
How to get unstuck: Focus on slowing down your mental process. Take a breath and write out your thoughts or make a pro-con list. This will help you bring clarity to your decision-making and keep unproductive thoughts in check.
Why Knowing Your Stance Matters
The reason you’re stuck might not be because there are too many decisions to make or because you’re unmotivated—it could be because you’re relying too heavily on one part of yourself and neglecting another. Understanding your stance and your repressed center gives you insight into how you respond to stress and overwhelm, and more importantly, how you can break free from it.
Think of it as a lightbulb moment: when you realize the center you’re neglecting, you can actively work to engage it. Whether that means slowing down to feel, ramping up to do, or getting your thoughts organized, knowing your stance is the first step to unlocking your own power.
So, if you’re feeling paralyzed, start by asking yourself: which part of me have I been neglecting? Once you recognize that, you’ll be on your way to moving forward—one step at a time. I'd love to know in the comments - which center of intelligence do you repress? Not really sure? Keep reading!
Ready to Get Unstuck?
If you're feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to move forward, understanding your Enneagram type and your response center might be the key to gaining clarity. Reach out to me for personalized Enneagram guidance, and let’s work together to help you feel more at ease with all the things that are feeling really tough right now! You don’t have to navigate this alone—let’s discover what might be holding you back and find a path forward that feels aligned and manageable.