How You'd Handle Being Stranded on a Desert Island, By Enneagram Type

Being stranded on a desert island is the ultimate test of survival – and personality. Do you stay put or explore? Light a rescue-me fire or catch a feed-me fish? Build a shelter from coconuts or a raft as an escape plan? 

If you’ve found yourself planning for this unlikely scenario, you might have revealed more about your Enneagram type than you realize. In this article — and with a little inspiration from some famous castaways — we're unpacking exactly how each Enneagram type handles their Gilligan’s Island moment. 

Type One: The Resources Manager

• Most like: Jack Shephard from Lost 

Type Ones are all about order, principles and making sure everyone sticks to the (sometimes literal) rule book. They live by an inner moral code and have a deep desire to do what’s “right” — which doesn’t exactly take a vacation when stranded. 

For a One, survival turns into a mission of keeping society functioning. They’re immediately organizing resources, creating makeshift tools and drafting their fellow survivors into their new roles in the community. The island will have a structured, organized, coordinated camp before you can say “Live together, die alone.”

Like Jack, who shepherded (sorry!) his fellow survivors towards medical care, a fresh water supply and a functioning community, Ones will ensure their fellow islanders are safe from harm and living by fair and honest rules. They’ll also be the first to call out anyone straying from them — which can cause some friction on an island with no escape! 

Survival tip: The drive to “get it right” can create some conflict with more freewheeling castaways. Not everyone will care about, say, not rationing coconuts or properly boiling water to avoid bacteria. Plus, if ever there's a need to let a rule slide, it's when you've landed in a place with no rules at all. The fittest will survive,  and also the most flexible. Chill your judgment and try to be a team player — because it might actually be cooler under that palm tree over there.

Type Two: The Castaway Caretaker

• Most like: Mary Ann Summers from Gilligan's Island 

Twos are caring, empathic and driven by their desire for love — which also makes them perfect providers in times of need. If someone’s hungry? They’re grilling shrimp. Someone's not sleeping properly? They're weaving a hammock for them. Someone’s feeling low? They’re singing songs around the fire and gathering everyone into one big group hug.

Much like Mary Ann’s eternally sunny disposition in Gilligan’s Island, a Two is the designated emotional glue holding people together.  They keep lines of communication open and encourage everyone to share their feelings, making the most out of a bad situation by creating an atmosphere of love and support. 

This selflessness is great...until it isn't. You're stranded on a desert island, Two! The other survivors probably have "kum ba ya" fatigue by now and a whole bunch of other priorities, like gathering food and finding a way off the island.  They may be too busy literally surviving to give the Two the validation they crave, and that can lead to isolation and “woe is me” feelings.  

Survival tip: The catch with being the heart of the group is that you have to ration your energy to stay energized yourself. That's easy enough at home when the love you give keeps being replenished, but on a deserted island that's not going to happen. Your survival as a Two depends on recognizing that it's nothing personal when others can't always reciprocate your love and support. At least in the early days, you may have to lead with your head.

Type Three: The Last Man Standing 

• Most like: Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland in Cast Away 

For a Type Three, life on a desert island is an opportunity to prove themselves as the ultimate survivor. Even when there's no one around to impress, they'll still find a way to do it.  Remember Chuck Noland turning a volleyball into Wilson? Peak Three energy right there. 

Threes are quick to take on the role of leader, knowing they can organize and motivate everyone into functional roles. They’ll create systems for scavenging food, design a fitness regimen to stay active, and maybe even build a raft out of driftwood to win at escape.  In their head, it's them vs the elements. Who can outlast whom.    

However, isolation can take its toll on a Three. They're used to being in the spotlight, and life on an island with no recognition or competition could be torture for them.  When it comes to sheer grit and determination, there’s no one you’d rather have in your corner — but with no audience to applaud them, they can quietly spiral into existential dread.

Survival tip: To avoid spiraling, the Three should focus on goals that they can take pride in completing. They're going to look a little different from their “at home” goals, for sure. But committing to upgrade a shelter with a fresh batch of palm fronds brings a feeling of satisfaction for Threes, even when there's no one to admire their "Best Island Survivor" seashell trophy but themselves.

Type Four: The Island Dreamer 

• Most like: Pi Patel from Life of Pi 

Fours, the individualists of the Enneagram, process life as a deeply emotional, creative narrative. They're not stranded on an island as much as they've been transplanted onto a new stage, with a romantic sunset and an opportunity to anthropomorphize the local wildlife, much like how Pi befriended Richard Parker the tiger in Life of Pi. 

The Four’s strength lies in their ability to find meaning in the chaos. While others are freaking out over basic survival, the Four is crafting art from seashells or weaving vines into emotional art. They’ll assign spiritual significance to island life, which… may or may not rub others the wrong way. 

Fours can also struggle with bouts of melancholy. Isolation feeds into their natural longing for what’s missing (civilization, their old life, a perfectly brewed iced coffee). They may grapple with intense shame that they’re not able to attach, in a practical way, to their castaway experience, and compare themselves unfavorably to those who do.    

Survival tip: It isn't the island that is going to get to a Four, but their own thoughts. Fours need to stay grounded in the present moment and avoid dwelling on what they're missing or romanticizing their situation. Having a project, like volunteering to be the camp's chef, can give them a sense of purpose and keep their minds focused on the things that truly matter. Like staying alive.

Type Five: The Scientist 

• Most like: Ben Linus from Lost   

Type Fives are analytical, resourceful and absolutely indispensable in a crisis. They're not going to jump into action like an Eight, Three or One, but they will use their knowledge and observational skills to figure out the best way for themselves and others to survive long term. They’ll study the tides, test berries for toxicity, and set traps for fish — it's ironic that their detached and observational approach to life, which may have earned them the label of "strange" in their pre-island days, now makes them essential for survival.  

The downside? Fives can be so self-sufficient that they prefer isolation over being part of a survivor group. When things get dull (and they will get dull), the Five might retreat into their thoughts, pushing away others who are just trying to be friendly. Or worse, like Ben Linus, they could end up manipulating others to preserve their own coveted solitude or save the best resources for themselves.  

Survival tip: While staying independent can be a good thing, remember that survival is a team effort.  Fives need to recognize their own limits and vulnerabilities, and remember that the others are in this together with them. Adopting Jack Shepherd's One mantra —  "Live together, die alone" — while it feels unnatural, may give the Five a push to swallow their pride and strengthen relationships that will benefit them long-term.

Type Six: The One Who Keeps Everyone Alive

• Most like: Robinson Crusoe from Robinson Crusoe 

Sixes are the ultimate survivors because they’re so used to expecting the worst. In fact, most of them have probably already prepared some kind of "what-if" survival plan before the ship even crashed. Sixes will be cautious at first, observing and assessing risks before jumping into action. If there’s no one else taking charge, they’ll quickly step up as leaders with their problem-solving abilities — but don’t expect them to keep it together all the time.

Whether it's fear of potential danger or just missing home too much, Sixes may struggle with anxiety and self-doubt on the island. They’ll second-guess their decisions and worry about the safety of the group, sometimes to the point of exhaustion. Their sense of loyalty makes them valuable to the group, but their deep trust issues might prompt paranoia: “Can we really trust Tom not to hoard the berries?”

But when push comes to shove, their dedication to the group’s safety and stability often makes them the unsung heroes of survival — just like Robinson Crusoe, who constantly battled his fears and ultimately turned challenges into triumphs through his resourcefulness.

Survival tip: Survival depends on the Six trusting themselves and their capabilities. They have a natural knack for problem-solving and an ingenuity that can benefit the entire group, if the Six can only get out of their own way. The worst has already happened, so it's time to put that overthinking brain to use and focus on the present. Engaging in physical activities like building a shelter or gathering food can help keep their mind off worries and build confidence in their abilities.

Type Seven: The Explorer 

• Most like: Richard from The Beach by Alex Garland

Sevens are the ultimate adventurers, always seeking out new experiences and avoiding boredom at all costs. While being stranded on a deserted island may not be their idea of fun, it definitely provides them with endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. Sevens will spend their days on expeditions to explore every nook and cranny of the island and claiming they “never wanted to go back to boring city life anyway.”

These types are spontaneous. Like Richard who decides to follow a map to a mysterious beach impulsively, and jumps off a literal cliff to find it, they have a tendency to act before they think. One wonders how Sevens would cope as a sole survivor with shelter to build and food to scavenge. While it might seem like a dream at first, the lack of resources and options for excitement may eventually get to them.

Their infectious energy boosts morale though, and they'll keep people looking on the bright side of their desert island experience. They're also outside-the-box thinkers, which can be useful when all you have to heal the sick is some plants and seaweed.

Survival tip: Sevens need to make sure their impulsivity doesn't put themselves or others in danger, and also learn to calm down and assess the options before jumping into action. There's no hospital to re-set their leg if they decide to  wrestle a shark, so they'll have to learn how to keep their impulses in check.

Type Eight: The Fearless Leader

• Most like: Ellen Ripley from Alien

Ellen Ripley wasn't stranded on a desert island as much as she was stuck on a spaceship with a terrifying alien, but her instinct to survive and protect was surely that of an Eight. Eights are natural leaders who take charge in any situation, so being stranded (in the ocean or in space) is just another opportunity for them to show their strength, resilience and fearlessness.

Eights are not afraid to take charge when others hesitate or falter — Ellen Ripley is the epitome of taking command when the rest of the crew seems paralyzed by fear. If they're holding out for rescue, they don't show it, instead marching into action on more immediate tasks like finding food and starting a fire. Eights will figure out what needs to be done and make sure it gets done, before anyone else has even processed what happened.

While their heart (and head) is in the right place, Eights can come off as domineering and controlling. This is a bunch of panicking survivors, Eight — they may need a leader, but they may not want a dictator.  Deep down, the Eight has a soft spot for the vulnerable and will fiercely protect those who are feeling weak or afraid...if they let their guard down long enough to show it.

Survival tip: Eights out-alpha people without even trying but in a Lord of the Flies situation? It's not going to end well for them. They'll survive longer if they lead with quiet power, staying out of the way while dropping subtle hints or suggestions about the best way to survive. A good number two might help them get ahead and keep friends along the way.

Type Nine: The Go Along With It Survivor

• Most like: Tom Neale (real-life castaway)

 Nines go with the flow and adapt to change easily, which are valuable traits when trying to survive on a desert island. They'll happily go along with whatever plans others have in mind (and others will love them for it), and they'll stay calm and steady in stressful situations.

Tom Neale, a real-life hermit who lived alone on Suwarrow Atoll in the Cook Islands for 16 years, embodies the Nine's zen attitude. He was able to thrive on his own with minimal resources by living simply and taking each day as it came — fishing, gardening and domesticating wild animals.

The big question mark with Nines is their procrastination. They have a bed rot tendency to put things off, and in survival situations that could be deadly. In a group survival scenario, they may find themselves easily overlooked or taken advantage of due to their passive nature. When a hungry predator comes looking for an easy meal, they may need to find their assertiveness quickly or get sacrificed by the more aggressive types.

Survival tip: Nines need to take charge of their own survival and not rely on others to make decisions for them. While they may find peace in solitude, there's actually not much time in the early days to gaze at the island's beauty. Decisions have to be made, things have to be done. They need to tap into their inner strength and take action — before it's too late.