So what does this mean when it comes to organization? Are you someone who has an entire system in your home as to how things should go, or do you tend to take things day by day and figure them out as you go along? Is your desire to keep things orderly more about having peace of mind for yourself, or to impress others? Take a look at your Enneagram type below to get a sense of what organization looks like for you.
Type 1: The Reformer
Known as “The Reformer,” it likely doesn’t surprise anyone that you’re very organized. You believe there is a place for everything, and that everything should be in its place. You feel at ease when your space is collected and streamlined, and you tend to have a system to ensure things stay the way you want them to. While you may not be a perfectionist all the time, you are more likely than most other types to really focus on how organized your life is—going with the flow is not exactly your style. Opting for a minimalist theme works wonders for you, and is likely the style you go for anyway—whether you plan to or not.
Type 2: The Helper
You are incredibly organized when it comes to other people—but for yourself? It depends. Whether it’s the other members of your family, your kids, or your roommates, you have no problem creating a system that organizes things for others. You notice areas others struggle in, and you go out of your way to lend a helping hand. When it comes to your personal belongings, you have a general way you like things to be kept, but you’re not quite as rigid and precise as your Type 1 counterparts. You certainly want things to look nice and inviting, but you have a tendency to hold onto sentimental items that take up space in your home. The result is a space that has a very homey, lived-in feeling, where everyone is welcome.
Type 3: The Achiever
You are determined to have your life put together, Type 3—you have people to impress, yourself included. Having your life organized means your environment needs to match, and you have the drive and determination to ensure things go according to your plans. Whether it’s working on projects in an office that has a pristine and polished desk, or a living room with bookshelves to showcase your impressive decor, you have high standards set for yourself that translate into how you view organization.
Type 4: The Individualist
While it may be tempting to assume that you aren’t all that organized, Type 4, that isn’t entirely the case. You don’t like to do things “by the book”, meaning you are more likely to go against the grain and do things how you want to do them. However, you aren’t opposed to keeping things in your life organized—it just needs to be a creative solution. Vintage boxes to keep old memorabilia, post-it notes with reminders strewn throughout your home, and decorative baskets that can hold random items while still providing some decor all are solutions you would likely utilize. As long as it has a creative streak, you’re all in.
Type 5: The Investigator
When it comes to organization, your main priority is information. You may not stress yourself out with the small details of house cleaning or planners, but you do want your information to be close by and presented in such a way that you have easy access to it. Having your bookshelf specifically arranged with your latest read to the front would be at the top of your priority list—the rest of life can wait.
Type 6: The Loyalist
You prefer to feel safe and secure when it comes to your home and your life, so organization comes somewhat naturally to you. You like to have a plan and be prepared for whatever could happen, and you try to keep your home in such a way that you can handle any situation. As opposed to displaying things, you prefer to hide items away, keeping them out of sight and out of mind. Staying organized for you can also feel more manageable if you have individualized spaces for each room or project, rather than having multiple things going on in one area. Keeping things separated can make you feel more at ease and help you stay organized on days where it feel overwhelming,
Type 7: The Enthusiast
Let’s be honest—you’re not the most organized type. You like to take life one day at a time, and your plans could change from one moment to the next. You have great intentions, and even have an organizational plan for a while—but it doesn’t usually last too long. You still are somehow able to navigate everything in your life just fine, and your likely “chaotic” system makes sense to you, even if it doesn’t to anyone else. When it comes to trying to stay organized, try giving yourself set periods of time to achieve a certain task. It will feel more like a challenge than a chore, and ultimately may work out in your favor.
Type 8: The Challenger
As a Type 8, you aren’t afraid to take initiative and do whatever you must to get things moving. You can create a structured plan and stick to it, at least most of the time. You may end up having other pressing matters that call to your attention and cause you to rearrange priorities for a while. However, when it comes down to it, you can jump back in and get things back in shape if they veer too far off course. You thrive off of remaining productive, so a handy planner or a large dry erase calendar that allows you to see what must get done during the week is a perfect asset for you.
Type 9: The Peacemaker
You may not have the strongest focus on organization, but it doesn’t mean you aren’t capable of it. You likely wish you were more organized than you actually are, and to you, as long as things look clean and clutter-free, you feel great. Hidden storage solutions are a godsend for you—ottomans, under-the-bed organizers, and decorative baskets that can store small items all help you stay on track and put together.
