Free Chapter: Self Preservation Eight from The Narcissist in You (and everyone else)

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This post is an excerpt from Sterlin’s book, The Narcissist in You and Everyone Else: Recognizing the 27 Types of Narcissism, available on Amazon and where other online books are sold. To get a 30% discount purchase directly from Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, use the code: RLFANDF30

Self Preservation Eight

The Self Preservation Eight’s energy exudes sheer strength and force of will that is hard to ignore. They are earthy, lusty, direct, and formidable opponents. They are certainly someone you’d rather have on your side than against you due to their propensity toward vengeance and impressive tempers. However, despite their bluster and aggression, they are also incredibly protective, loyal, and an inexhaustible source of strength for those they allow into their inner circle of care. Certainly not warm and fuzzy, this subtype can come across to others as brusque and abrupt, particularly in their youth. Many Eights struggle to understand the value of diplomacy until later in life and tend to come on like a Mack truck, particularly about their self preservation needs.

Self Pres Eights, not unlike Fives, has a fear of being without the resources and comforts they deem vital to their survival. However, unlike Fives, they are generally not withdrawn and meek but rather command that the world give them their rightful spoils, or else they’ll come and take what they want. People often misunderstand Self Preservation because of their characteristically unrefined, straightforward manner of conducting their life affairs. They don’t want to beat around the bush and prefer others approach them with the candor and directness they conduct themselves. This subtype is the powerhouse of the Enneagram, and they endeavor to amass enough resources to ensure they're never without the things they want or need. Not unlike the Self Preservation Seven, they have big appetites and require a plethora of their favorite things (food, people, sex, money, comforts) at their fingertips. However, unlike the Self Pres Seven, they don't require the same level of variety and novelty. They like what they like and hate any expectations that they'll change their preferences.