To learn more about this series, as well as how the survey was conducted, please read this post.

Type Six

 Commonly known as The Loyalist, The Guardian, The Questioner, The Traditionalist

The Need for Security

Basic Fear: Of being without support and guidance

Basic Desire: To have security and support

Key Motivations: Want to have security, to feel supported by others, to have certitude and reassurance, to test the attitudes of others toward them, to fight against anxiety and insecurity.

Sixes are reliable, hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy. When they are internally stable and self-reliant, they are able to champion themselves and others. Sixes make for amazing friends. Excellent "troubleshooters," they foresee problems and foster cooperation, but can also become defensive, evasive, and anxious—running on stress while complaining about it. They are outwardly fearful. This type is most likely to look for and respond well to authority figures. They tend to be great rule-followers and look for black and white answers. They can be cautious and indecisive, but also reactive, defiant and rebellious. They typically struggle with self-doubt and suspicion.

At their best: loyal, likable, caring, warm, compassionate, witty, practical, helpful, responsible

At their worst: hypervigilant, controlling, unpredictable, judgmental, paranoid, defensive, rigid, self-defeating, testy

*Note: This type actually has two facets, phobic and counter-phobic, with the majority of people falling into the former category. For ease of understanding, this analysis is centered around the phobic Six.

Read this profile for a complete description of Type Six.

Type Six Bloggers*^

Don't Stop Believing, Building Ebeneezers, Upside Down Grace, Carlee Lane, Jennifer Bryant, Fork & Beans, Sarah Torna Roberts

*these are bloggers who identify as type six; it does not indicate they have participated in the Enneagram and Blogging survey

^Type Six is believed to be the most common type, with researchers theorizing half of the population identifying as such. However, finding Type Six Bloggers proved difficult, which will become clear as you read on. A few respondents even emailed me after the series began stating they now doubted they were Type Six and asked not to be included. I agreed to do so. It must be said, however, this confusion is classic Six behavior. Sixes and Nines have the hardest time discerning their type.

Typical Topics:

• Relationships (parenting, dating, friendship, etc.)

• Reading

• Faith

• General life

• Struggles and fears

• Grace vs. legalism

• DIY projects

• How they're processing various situations/struggles

• Recipes

Why did you start blogging?

While reasons for starting a blog ranged from building a platform to sharing stories with family, many Type Sixes reported starting their blog because they:

• wanted to experiment with different topics and writing styles

• wanted a more focused creative outlet than journaling provides

• wanted to connect with others in similar circumstances

• thought they had valuable perspective/information to offer

While most Six respondents reported starting their blogs because they wanted to write or work toward publication, an equal amount of Sixes who are not bloggers reported not wanting to write publicly because they lacked confidence, feared the reactions of others (including hypothetical commenters), or did not feel they were qualified to do so. For these reasons, Sixes appear to be the type least likely to blog.

Do you have any goals related to blogging?

Besides building a platform or working toward publication, Sixes want to make a difference to someone. They want readers to relate to and connect with them and their writing. They want to be a voice for those struggling to break free. They want to strengthen their writing voice and find their tribe. Respondents reported wanted to grow their readership and online presence. More than any other type, Sixes stated they'd like to blog full-time or make more consistent money blogging. It may be Sixes feel an income would legitimize their efforts.

Respondents reported a lot of anxiety and self-doubt related to their blogs and said they'd like to overcome these fears. This plays out in different ways. One respondent bought the domain for her site months ago but has yet to use it or migrate her blog to a new platform. For another respondent, it's increasing traffic, better understanding SEO, and learning marketing.

What do you like about blogging?

• Having a place to process and explore what's on their mind

• Opportunity to encourage others

• Sharing things they're excited about

• Getting to speak their mind and express themselves, something they don't feel as able to do face to face

• Community/friendships

• Receiving positive feedback

• Satisfaction of writing a good post

• Finding other bloggers who help them feel less alone

• Freedom to create

• Knowing they're helping others

What do you not like about blogging?

The most fearful and anxious of the nine types, Sixes expressed worrying over their blogs being read, as well as their blogs not being read. They have an especially hard time pressing "publish." If only they could foresee how a post will be perceived by others and receive a stamp of approval from the blogging gods... Sixes reported writing more freely if their friends and family are unaware of their blog. Those who blog openly report this can keep them from being more vulnerable. They also have a hard time when they receive minimal feedback after publishing a post. This is the conundrum of the Type Six blogger: they believe, on some level, they have something to say (more so than the Type Six who chooses not to blog) but also worry they shouldn't be the one to say it or believe someone else could do it better.

Respondents reported disliking the self-promotion required to succeed, often using the phrase "quality over quantity" as the reason for their dislike. The more pressure they feel, the less likely they are to blog. Sixes can be phenomenal procrastinators, unless they gird their loins, push through, and do the work. Sixes want to survive, not succeed, as success means more pageviews, more social media shares, more eyeballs on them, more unknowns to combat. If they do succeed, it's difficult for them to enjoy the achievement as there is always something new for them to worry about. The core desire for Sixes is security and the support of others, neither of which are givens when it comes to the unpredictable blogging world. Sixes specifically mentioned not liking trolls, those nasty patrollers of the web. Even if they've never experienced a troll, they view it as an ever present and real threat.

Because Sixes desire the approval of others, the blog world may feel like they're at a junior high dance and everyone's out moving and grooving except for them. Social media, for better or worse, tells us what all the cool kids are up to today and Sixes wouldn't mind being a sidekick at the latest conference or at least having the most popular blogger say they like the shoes they're wearing. Although, don't compliment those shoes too much: Sixes have a hard time accepting praise and often think there's a trick behind flattering words.

What are your strengths as a blogger?

This turned out to be a hard question for Sixes to answer; several relied on what others have told them. (Sixes often look to authority figures.) They reported they are good writers and that their honesty is a strength. They do a good job of responding and relating to their readers, as well as having compassion for them. They feel their blogs can be safe spaces. Healthy Sixes are very supportive. Some respondents noted they visit their readers' blogs to further those relationships.

Healthy Sixes also learn to listen to themselves, a huge strength. They sense what's possible and what isn't and are more likely to try new things. They're able to push past their fears and write it anyway, knowing they usually regret not doing so. When a Six is able to share from a place of vulnerability, their courage is inspiring and beautiful to witness. It is a gift to us all. Healthy Sixes can also take ownership of their strengths, whether their creativity or unique content.

What are your greatest struggles/temptations as a blogger?

The Six's core struggle is fear. They have a hard time trusting themselves and often look to others for answers. When it comes to blogging, the fear may manifest itself by irregular posts, not posting at all, sticking to safe topics, or worrying over how they'll be perceived. Respondents reported having a hard time hitting "publish," questioning whether it was good enough or worth reading. They wish they had a different writing style or more authoritative voice. They may not tell friends and family about their blog. They worry what they write won't be well received, which taps right back in to their core desires and fears. Blogging can be an act of vulnerability and Sixes face their fears every time they write and share a new post. Commendable, really. But oh how they battle with themselves to get there.

Because Sixes doubt themselves, they also tend to doubt the opportunities that come their way. One respondent wrote, "I was so afraid of failing I never sent any of the posts I wrote for it. I'm afraid that people think I have no business writing. I'm working through it, but it's been a constant battle. I think I've missed out on some amazing opportunities because of fear."

Sixes question how much they should share. What topics are too personal? Is sharing about their life circumstances truly helpful to others? Will they disappoint someone in their life or across the screen? Who are they underneath all the fear? Sixes benefit from the encouragement of others in order to be fully open and honest. However, a healthy Six will learn to trust themselves, overcome their fears, and act of their own volition.

When Sixes do write, their posts may be lengthy as they try to cover all their bases. They don't want to offend anyone and tend to stay away from controversial topics. They're not entirely sure they'll agree with what they wrote 6 months or a year ago. They may feel the urge to delete their archived posts so there won't be any evidence of "what they got wrong." Or, again, they may decide not to risk it at all and stop blogging altogether.

Resources: The Enneagram Institute, The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective (Rohr), Enneagram Made Easy (Baron and Wagele), The Wisdom of the Enneagram (Riso and Hudson)