You’re Not Lazy — You’re Just Motivated Differently

What the Enneagram reveals about your wellness blocks and how to break free from them

“I just need more discipline.”

“I should be better at this by now.”

“Why can’t I stick to anything?”

If you’ve ever started a new wellness routine only to abandon it three weeks later, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not lazy. You’re just human. And maybe, just maybe… you’re motivated differently than the people you’re comparing yourself to.

We live in a world where the loudest wellness advice often sounds like a one-size-fits-all plan: wake up at 5 AM, drink green juice, go to the gym, and meditate daily or else. But let’s be realistic: what works beautifully for some people can completely backfire for others. 

So, what if the issue isn’t your willpower, but that the plan wasn’t designed with you in mind?

Enter: the Enneagram.

Unlike other personality tools that focus on behavior, the Enneagram maps your core motivation. It doesn’t tell you what you do—it reveals why you do it. Each Enneagram type can reveal how we personally approach wellness and what might be silently sabotaging our best intentions. 

I recently sat down with my friend Chelsea Laub of Evoke Eq, who taught me how understanding your core motivation can reveal hidden blocks in your wellness journey. She had so much wisdom around each type’s deeper emotional drivers, which had me reflecting as a wellness coach on how to apply those insights in everyday life.

Chelsea emphasized to me that the Enneagram gets to the heart of why you do things. That means it can uncover why certain wellness routines work for other people but feel like a punishment to you. It can also reveal the exact emotional or mental pattern that keeps tripping you up—whether it’s the fear of failure, the pressure to succeed, or the desire to escape altogether.

Let’s dig into the types.

Enneagram 1 – The Reformer

According to Chelsea, this type wants to do things the “right” way, and can be rigid to a fault. Wellness becomes one more thing to perfect, and if they think they’ll fall short, they might not even start. This can result in burnout or avoidance. When they shift from judgment to joy, wellness becomes something they get to do, not something they should do. 

Enneagram 2 – The Helper

Chelsea shared that this type is driven by a need to feel needed and appreciated. They often prioritize others’ well-being over their own and can feel guilty when focusing on themselves. This can lead to chronic overgiving, burnout, and resentment. When they learn that their presence is most powerful when they are putting themselves first, self-care becomes an act of connection, not selfishness.

Enneagram 3 – The Achiever

This type is motivated by a desire to succeed and be seen as valuable. Chelsea explained that they often treat wellness as another achievement to check off, focusing on results and image over authenticity or emotional support. She also mentioned these are our 6-pack ab types! When they shift from performance to presence, wellness becomes a way to reconnect with who they are, not just what they do.

Enneagram 4 – The Individualist

Chelsea noted that Type 4s seek meaning and emotional depth, often using wellness as a space to feel their feelings fully. But they can get stuck in emotional intensity, using reflection to reinforce their sense of identity and even becoming a source of comparison. When they ground in balance and allow emotion to pass through rather than define them, wellness becomes a portal to their wholeness to themselves and others.

Enneagram 5 – The Investigator

This type values autonomy. Chelsea shared that they tend to overthink wellness and may delay action in favor of more research, including delays to the doctor's office! Their mental loop often keeps them stuck in planning mode without embodied follow-through. When they let down their guard and release the attachments they have about their research, they may invite the support they actually need for their optimal wellness.

Enneagram 6 – The Loyalist

Chelsea explained that Type 6s are driven by a need for safety and certainty. Their desire to be prepared can lead to overanalyzing routines, second-guessing decisions, or scanning for problems that might not be there. These are our wellness players who never miss an appointment and are always on schedule with all of their check-ups! When they learn to trust their own intuition and find comfort in consistency, wellness becomes a grounding force, rather than health being a source of anxiety.

Enneagram 7 – The Enthusiast

This type seeks freedom, fun, and stimulation. Chelsea shared that they often resist routines that feel restrictive and avoid discomfort through distraction or overindulgence. This all-or-nothing pattern can keep them from fully engaging with their wellness. When they embrace presence over escapism, wellness becomes a joyful anchor, not a buzzkill.

Enneagram 8 – The Challenger

Chelsea noted that Type 8s are motivated by intensity and being “big”. They approach life with force and may see rest or vulnerability as weakness. This type is associated with lust; it’s not what they are consuming but how much they can. When they soften their guard and embrace vulnerability, wellness becomes a reclamation, not a risk.

Enneagram 9 – The Peacemaker

This type longs for internal and external harmony. Chelsea shared that they often struggle with inertia, avoiding decisions that could create conflict or tension, even with themselves. She noted that this type can be associated with autoimmune diseases because, unlike the 7s that, in their indulgence, can eliminate what they take in, the 9s trap not only what they consume, but their emotions as well. When they practice conscious engagement, wellness becomes a way to affirm their presence and power in the world.

If you recognize yourself in any of these patterns, take heart. The goal here isn’t to label yourself—it’s to understand yourself. When you know your core motivation, you can stop pushing against your natural wiring and start working with it. That’s where real change begins.

When I asked Chelsea what someone reading this could do next, she encouraged those curious about Enneagram to invest in a high-quality assessment (not the free ones, which are often inaccurate) and, when possible, to work with a coach who specializes in Enneagram development. A good practitioner can help you see your blind spots, especially in the areas of your life where you’re not getting the results you want.

As someone who believes that our minds and words shape our realities, I also thought that an Enneagram type affirmation could inspire someone to step into the magic of their Enneagram motivation:

Enneagram 1: You don’t have to earn your wellness—joy counts as progress.

Enneagram 2: Your wellness is strongest when it includes you, too.

Enneagram 3: You don’t have to outwork your worth—wellness begins when you let yourself just be.

Enneagram 4: You don’t have to feel different to begin—wellness is here, and you’re ready now.

Enneagram 5: Wellness isn’t a depletion—it’s a resource you can trust and return to.

Enneagram 6: Trusting yourself is part of your wellness practice. You’re more ready than you think.

Enneagram 7: You don’t have to chase the next thing—wellness and freedom deepens when you root in something that lasts.

Enneagram 8: Wellness isn’t weakness—it’s the fuel for your fire.

Enneagram 9: Doing nothing isn’t peace or wellness—doing something can restore it.

If you are thinking, what specific wellness routine should I be taking action on based on my type, it is most important to remember that awareness is not inaction. Even though it may not feel like a big step, understanding why you do what you do is the most powerful catalyst for transformation. Insight leads to intention, and intention leads to aligned action.

If this article sparked curiosity about your own type or helped you feel seen in a new way, consider taking the next step. Chelsea Laub of Evoke EQ offers high-quality Enneagram assessments and one-on-one coaching to help you uncover what’s motivating your patterns.