Enneagram Type 5- The Investigator

image from https://strangenotions.com/einstein-god/

    When I think of a Type 5, my mind goes immediately to an absent minded professor- someone who thinks and plans their way through life. A five is interested in knowing things and feels more secure when they know them deeply. They are the obvious 'head' person, living a full, productive, satisfying life completely in their minds.



    Yesterday I was helping a friend put together her website and we were talking about the long term effects of where we choose to spend our time. She mentioned that Einstein's son said "probably the only project my father ever gave up on was me." I was horrified. How sad. So I looked a little deeper and found this contract he made with his first wife:
     A. You will make sure:
1. that my clothes and laundry are kept in good order;
2. that I will receive my three meals regularly in my room;
3. that my bedroom and study are kept neat, and especially that my desk is left for my use only.
    B. You will renounce all personal relations with me insofar as they are not completely necessary for social reasons. Specifically, You will forego:
1. my sitting at home with you;
2. my going out or travelling with you.
      C. You will obey the following points in your relations with me:
1. you will not expect any intimacy from me, nor will you reproach me in any way;
2. you will stop talking to me if I request it;
3. you will leave my bedroom or study immediately without protest if I request it.
     D. You will undertake not to belittle me in front of our children, either through words or behavior.
It is the perfect example of a type 5. He wants basic needs taken care of- laundry, meals, and a clean work space. Nothing about the rest of the house. If he wanted to think, he required his personal space, immediately. Finally, he wanted to look good in his children's eyes.
     When I look at it logically, this makes perfect sense. He was a thinker and needed room and peace to be at his best. As a Two, my heart breaks for all the missed opportunities for fun.
     If you want dispassionate advice, go to a Five. The Five will look at the situation, not colored by emotion, and give suggestions that are so helpful.
     Here are my videos. The first is a great, succinct portrait of the Five.

My second video is from Richard Rohr (again). I just love his explanations of the Enneagram.