Enneagram Type 2 -
The Helper -

The one who loves to help and take care of other people, Enneagram type 2 knows that the best way to feel good is to give themselves unconditionally. This kind of hospitality becomes their way of life and influences their decisions. Contrary to selfishness, the Helper makes others its top priority and worries for their wellness.

Enneagram Type 2: The Helper

Enneagram type two, The helper, is a really hospitable person who’s always trying to please and embrace others. The ones of this kind don’t hesitate to give a hand and give themselves to fulfill the needs of others. That generosity comes from a deep intention; that’s how type 2s are. When imbalanced, they can see love as an investment and their constant sacrifice might turn into disappointment as what they give out might not come back. “All you need is love,” is Enneagram type 2’s mantra. Type 2s are the lovers—the kindest and obliging ones among us. Now, let’s see how this love engine works.

What Motivates Enneagram Type 2?

For the Helper there’s nothing more important than love, or even better said, “being loved”. As Bob Marley sings, “Could you be loved and be loved?” They are always wondering if their significant other loves them as much as they hope they do, or even more than what they are hoping. Sometimes enneagram 2s feel a subtle fear: will people stay around if they are not making the effort to feel loved too? Enneagram type 2s feel like people expect them to help, to be generous, to support them. That makes them feel good about themselves and worthy of love. They see the needs of people around them and feel it’s their duty to fulfill them.

How Does Enneagram Type Two Think?

Enneagram type two believe everything is ok when they are being loved. Of course, we all want and need love and to feel loved, but we can’t let other people define our value; type 2s think that the more they sacrifice themselves for others the more they are worthy of love. Love is sacrifice, abnegation. For Enneagram 2s, thinking and taking care of their own needs is unfair, selfish, and unacceptable. Being selfish is the worst thing they can think of, and they believe no one can love someone like that. Everything in their lives is divided into two opposing sides: being good and helpful (+) or being selfish and only thinking about yourself (-). The Helper feels that being loved requires renouncing themselves, but deep inside they know it’s not a selfless resignation; there’s an implied price within the action itself.

How's Enneagram Type 2 In Love?

Have you ever heard that song by The Cardigans, “Love Me, Love Me, Say That You Love Me”? Well, I’ll take the risk in saying that this song was written by a Two Type, these lyrics demonstrating this perfectly: “Just say that you need me, I can’t care ’bout anything but you.” In the love field, type 2s are passionate and give everything to their beloved ones. They enjoy long and deep conversations that open the way to what is intimate and most treasured by the other; they believe that this is the most certain way to connect and win their trust and love, and is the best way to ensure there is a solid relationship between the Helper and their significant other. So, Enneagram type 2s usually seduce people by paying special attention to them. If they feel they are losing their beloved person, they can become really possessive and intense by doing whatever they can to keep their beloved close. To feel the right to ask something back, they perform actions they consider meaningful to their beloved with the hope that the other may feel indebted to them. These attitudes can be born from an unconscious state of mind which supports old beliefs that sustain dependent relationships.

The Best & The Worst Of The 2s. The Light And The Darkness

Most of Enneagram 2’s empathy comes from knowing how it feels to be alone, to need someone or something. They would do anything to prevent other people from living in pain or solitude. But, on the other hand, the Helper ends up feeling like a savior. They feel they must understand and justify other people’s actions and save them. That magnitude of compassion is amazing, but can be harmful too, because it turns other people into victims so it can override them. At their best,The Helper understands that although healing is a collective process, each person is responsible for their own healing.

Average Enneagram Type 2

In the average status, Enneagram 2s are concerned about their relationships. They spend much time thinking about what to do to get closer to the people they love, and sometimes they plan big gestures to show their affection.That’s because they love to show love, but also because they want to make sure that they’re doing enough to be loved back. This could affect Type 2’s spontaneity and lead them to suppress their real reactions in order to always please others. They worry about doing something wrong and giving other people reasons to not love them anymore. Most of the time people feel really comfortable around an Enneagram type 2. They are generous, empathetic, and really good listeners.

Unhealthy Enneagram Type 2

On an unhealthy level, type twos start to manipulate people so they love them or feel indebted to them. If nothing else, they naturally do whatever it takes to attract the ones they love; they even start to act possessively without realizing it’s wrong because in some way they think their behavior is justified (“Toxic” from Britney Spears is your soundtrack). Recognition and being loved is so important to Enneagram 2s that the fear turns them into an aggressive and selfish lover. Begging for love is such a painful way to live that they get angry. Why do they need to ask for something they deserve? Why does nobody see everything type 2s do for them? Maybe it’s time they give themselves what they expect from other people; otherwise, they may find that they are making mountains out of a molehills. Type 2 shouldn’t bite their shadow; they should give it love instead. In any case, in an unhealthy state, type 2s can pose like Rose posed for Jack in the Titanic, but in their case the image would be a baroque painting focused on them as a martyr instead.

Healthy Enneagram Type 2

Now, let’s talk about the prettier part. We all want to see our best version. Accepting our backlights can be hard, but it’s extremely necessary. On a healthy basis, Twos are deeply dedicated to people, unselfish and compassionate. People love to be around them because Twos highlight the best of them. It’s a religious experience, as Enrique Iglesias said. They love truly; they radiate love and forgiveness. Nothing is more graceful than seeing Twos just be themselves because it’s uncommon to experience that kind of warmth. They are an unconditional love source since they are no longer at war with themselves. Twos are unconditional to others; there is no broken mirror now, no more sharp tips in their reflections. There are no threats. Isn’t it interesting that their unhealthy version just shows them that the more they resist to love themselves, the less they are able to feel and receive love? Twos have the key; they can use it to close the door or to open it.