
Why "Just Be Yourself" Is Terrible Advice: The Enneagram, Authenticity, and Finding Yourself
From Beyond the Type: An Enneagram-Inspired Podcast about Being Human. by Sandy Swanson, PCC, NBC-HWC, A-CFHC, Holistic Communication and Relationship Coach
June 6, 2026 · 41 min
About this episode
Sandy explores the difference between the True Self and the False Self through the lens of the Enneagram, discussing authenticity and personal growth.
Have you ever been told to "just be yourself" and wondered what that even means? In this episode, Sandy explores the difference between the True Self and the False Self through the lens of the Enneagram. We look at how personality patterns develop, why authenticity can feel so difficult, and how each of the nine Enneagram types can lose touch with their deeper essence. Because before we can *be* ourselves, we have to know who that self actually is. In this episode: • What the True Self and False Self really mean • Why "just be yourself" isn't always helpful advice • How the Enneagram reveals the difference between personality and essence • The unique "static" and "signal" of all 9 Enneagram types • What authenticity actually feels like • How presence helps us reconnect with who we really are • Why personal growth is more about uncovering than fixing This episode draws on teachings from Richard Rohr, Mory Fontanez, and the Enneagram tradition. If you've ever felt disconnected from yourself, this episode offers a different way of understanding who you really are. ___ Learn more about Enneagram Typing Interviews here: https://www.swansoncoaching.com/typinginterview Podcast Ep…
People in this episode
Host: Sandy Swanson
Topics covered
- Enneagram
- authenticity
- True Self
- False Self
- personal growth
- self-discovery
Keywords
- Enneagram types
- personality patterns
- authenticity
- self-discovery
- personal growth
- True Self
- False Self
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