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Episode #193 - Sixes, Shoulds, and Rules

 

Sixes, how often do you tell yourself what you SHOULD be doing?

I should be more productive.

I should know what to do.

I should be doing more for my family.

I should make the right decision.

I should be handling this differently.

For Sixes, shoulds and rules can become such a normal part of our internal experience that we don't even notice how much they're directing our lives.

And there's a good reason for that.

Our Six brains love predictability, reliability, and guidance. Rules and expectations help us feel like we're doing the right things, avoiding mistakes, and staying connected to the people and structures we depend on for support.

But there's a problem.

When we're constantly living by what we think we SHOULD do, we can lose touch with what we actually WANT to do.

In this episode of Life Uninhibited, we're exploring the relationship between shoulds, rules, and the Type Six personality—and why something as simple as changing one word can create a surprisingly different internal experience.

We'll talk about:

  • Why Sixes naturally look for rules, guidelines, and structure

  • How our fear of being without guidance influences our decisions

  • Why Sixes can simultaneously want rules and rebel against them

  • How internal shoulds can conflict with our own desires

  • Why we sometimes feel trapped by choices we're actually making ourselves

  • How the language we use affects our bodies and emotions

  • The difference between telling yourself "I should" and "I could"

  • How accessing choice can help us move toward more productive thinking

I'll also walk you through a simple exercise you can start practicing immediately.

The next time you catch yourself thinking, "I should..." try replacing it with:

"I could..."

Notice what happens.

Notice how your body responds.

Notice whether that small shift creates a little more space for choice.

Because Sixes, we spend so much time responding to our internal rules that we can forget we're allowed to make decisions about our own lives.

And sometimes, a different experience begins with a different word.

I'm also planning a new recurring podcast segment where I'll answer your questions about the Enneagram and using it in your life. If there's something you'd love me to explore, send me your question through the contact link in the show notes!

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