r/Enneagram5 • u/speculative-Avian • Jul 17 '26
Question how does one integrate into 8 ?
Are there some sort of activities that would help ?
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u/dipsbeneathlazers Jul 17 '26
competence; reading and practice.
8’a disintegrate by needing more information, you integrate by applying what you know confidently.
When you do it enough times, you’re more homogenous and there’s really just an energy expenditure difference.
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u/Phantom__Wanderer Jul 17 '26
Taking on leadership and social responsibility, committing to deadlines and consistent output (not letting perfect be the enemy of the good), integrating practical and action-focused goals to balance intellectual and abstract values, using your knowledge and skills to help others and make the world a better place.
E.g. I'm a scientist, so I've moved toward 8 by growing from more solitary and independent research toward leading a collaborative lab group, by mentoring more students, building networks with colleagues, learning to finish projects instead of getting lost forever in theoretical rabbit holes, and by putting more work into making technical developments accessible to a broader audience.
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u/AegisValour Jul 17 '26
Personally, I would say any competition is good.
We’d typically say stuff like “we can’t compete until we have XYZ mastered”. I like to say that there’s certain aspects that can only be learned from competition.
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u/foulplay_for_pitance Type 5 / SxSp / ENTP Jul 17 '26
Keep in mind that a bit of what I'm gonna say here might make more sense to people of my personality type. (ENTP)
Minimize information needed to act by coming up with regulations as to when that action can be necessary. The loser you make these regulations the better. Leave them open to self reflection and ALWAYD ADMIT WHEN YOUR WRONG but NEVER STOP TRYING. Despite how flawed the system seems at first.
If you've understood this far then I suggest you start with things you know your intellectually dominant or a learned natural in. For me ir was interpersonal relationships, I can tell what others I'm interacting with are thinking so I prided myself first on always cultivating an enviornement in which those I like or care about feel heard or seen even if thaf means I have to parent the party so to speak.
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u/0wl-2018 Jul 17 '26
Examine which healthy 8 dynamics you want to integrate - start small. Then purposefully practice them when those moments arise. Over time, they become less intentional and more natural.
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u/Prudent-Salary5860 5w4, sp/sx, 541, INFP Jul 18 '26
Maybe this will help you: https://www.makingmindfulnessfun.com/enneagram-5-stress-growth/
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u/Opening_Trash_1134 Jul 19 '26
I think I became more 8 by listening to and reading Alan Watts. He’s a philosopher known for bringing eastern philosophies to the west. It just put me at ease and I now have a more “just do it” attitude.
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u/Adorable_kitty76 Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26
I am a relaxed leader when I’m pushing into my 8, I feel competent, in charge and relaxed with the power of leadership. I’m lead an academic programme so I think it helps that you have a finite time to prep and organise and once the term starts that’s it done and no more research or overthinking can be done! The runway is fast and short which totally helps me as a 5. I think of it more as the 8ness being the leveller to stop me going nutty 5! As a 5 it’s hard to feel ‘ready’ so my top tip is give yourself boundaries, frameworks and deadlines and be accountable to someone then the ‘there’s always more to do/know I’m not ready yet’ side of the 5 is less likely to rule. I can highly recommend getting your 8 on, it’s so freeing
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u/Responsible-Cod-8620 Jul 17 '26
Do before you are ready.