Beneath the Surface: The Enneagram as a Path of Deep Self-Discovery

At Tend Collective, we are drawn to tools that help us slow down and listen more closely to our inner lives. The Enneagram is one of those tools — not simply because it helps us name personality patterns, but because it invites us into a deeper kind of knowing. Rooted in ancient wisdom and informed by modern psychology, the Enneagram offers a map for exploring who we are beneath the surface of roles, habits, and expectations.

In a culture that often encourages us to curate an outer self, the Enneagram gently turns our attention inward. It asks not only what we do, but why we do it. As Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile write in The Road Back to You, the Enneagram helps us identify the core motivations that shape how we relate, cope, strive, withdraw, protect, or perform. These motivations are not random traits — they are deeply formed strategies that once helped us make sense of the world and find our place within it.

In The Story of You, Ian Morgan Cron invites us to approach our Enneagram type not as a label, but as a narrative. Our type tells a story about how we learned to be in the world. It reflects the ways we adapted, the meanings we made, and the beliefs we formed about what it takes to belong and be loved. When we hold this story with compassion, we begin to see that our patterns are not simply strengths or struggles — they are expressions of a deeper longing for connection, safety, and significance.

Over time, however, what once served us can quietly become limiting. We may find ourselves repeating familiar cycles, reacting automatically, or feeling disconnected from parts of ourselves. In The Enneagram Guide to Waking Up, Beatrice Chestnut describes this as living on autopilot — when our personality structure runs the show without our awareness. The invitation of the Enneagram is to wake up to these patterns so that we can meet them with presence rather than reactivity.

This is where the Enneagram becomes more than a typing system. It becomes a practice of deep self-discovery. As we learn to notice our inner narratives, emotional habits, and relational tendencies, we gain access to greater choice. We can begin to respond from our truest selves rather than from fear, habit, or old assumptions about what we must do to be okay.

In our Enneagram workshops at Tend Collective, we approach this work as an invitation — not to fix yourself, but to know yourself more fully. Together, we explore how the Enneagram can illuminate your unique patterns, motivations, and growth opportunities. Whether you are new to the Enneagram or returning with deeper curiosity, this space is designed to support reflection, conversation, and meaningful insight.

Our hope is that you leave with more than information. We hope you leave with language for your inner world, compassion for your story, and a clearer sense of who you are beneath the surface. The Enneagram does not define you — but it can help you uncover transformative insights about yourself and your place in the world.

Old Man Winter Is a Real Mood

Manitobans are known for handling winter with resilience. But for many people, the long, dark months take more than grit to get through. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression linked not to cold temperatures, but to reduced sunlight during late fall and winter.

SAD is more common in northern climates like ours. In Canada, an estimated six per cent of people experience the clinical form, while another 15 per cent experience a milder version often referred to as “the winter blues.”

What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder is a recurring depression that appears in the fall or winter and improves in the spring. While the exact mechanisms aren’t fully understood, research suggests reduced light exposure plays a central role. Shorter days can disrupt the body’s internal clock, affecting sleep-regulating hormones and mood-related brain chemicals such as serotonin. Genetics may also increase susceptibility in some individuals.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms typically last several months and can vary in severity. Common signs include persistent low mood, loss of interest in usual activities, fatigue, and low motivation. Many people sleep more than usual or experience poor-quality sleep, along with difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Increased cravings for carbohydrates and weight gain are also common, as is withdrawing socially or feeling less enjoyment overall.

People with milder forms of SAD may not feel deeply depressed but often notice reduced energy, motivation, or productivity during the winter months.

What Treatments Are Proven to Work?

Despite how common SAD is, only a few treatments are strongly supported by research.

Bright light therapy is the most effective. Sitting in front of a 10,000-lux light box for 30 to 60 minutes each morning improves symptoms in about 80 per cent of people. For best results, the light must be bright enough and used consistently, preferably early in the day.

Medications—most often antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—can also be effective, particularly for moderate to severe symptoms. They are frequently used alongside light therapy. Talk therapy, especially cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), has also been shown to help people manage negative thought patterns and develop coping strategies for the winter months.

What About Lifestyle Changes?

Many people report improvement with lifestyle adjustments. While research is limited, these approaches are generally low risk and supportive of overall mental health. Spending time outdoors during daylight hours, exercising regularly (especially in the morning), maintaining social connections, and eating a balanced diet with less processed food and more protein may all help. Some people also benefit from vitamin D supplements after speaking with a healthcare provider.

When to Seek Help

If winter symptoms last more than a few weeks, interfere with daily life, or feel overwhelming, it’s important to talk to a primary care provider. SAD is treatable, and early support can make a meaningful difference.

Winter may be part of life in Manitoba—but struggling through it alone doesn’t have to be.

Fun Fact
At last count, Sweden had about 80 “light lounges.” In some northern regions, therapeutic light installations can be found in bus shelters, libraries, and schools.