Nine Types of Rest

Earlier this year, i used to be feeling burned out. i used to be working full time at a start-up, getting to graduate school , running my Instagram account, starting my coaching business, and planning a move across the state. I had tons happening . within the midst of the busyness, a lover challenged me to require a while faraway from Instagram and my burgeoning business to be present within the most urgent spaces as I bound up one milestone in my career before moving on to subsequent thing.

“Nine sorts of Rest” felt just like the perfect title for a post: i used to be both encouraging others to rest while also chatting with myself. In June 2020, I asked in my Instagram stories, “What does rest mean for you?” and that i was overwhelmed by the responses. As I sat right down to read them, i started to note themes emerging within the answers. Many Ones requested a vacation, while Twos just wished they might exist without being helpful. 

As I combined the answers I read with my Enneagram knowledge, the list began to require shape:



Nine sorts of Rest

1 time away

2 permission to not be helpful

3 something “unproductive”

4 appreciating art and nature

5 alone time to recharge

6 an opportunity from responsibility

7 stillness to decompress

8 safe space

9 alone time reception 


After posting the list, I deleted the Instagram app, knowing I needed a mental break. a couple of weeks later, i started to ascertain my list and artwork shooting up on Facebook and Instagram - it had been everywhere! The list spread like wildfire. Something about this easy post resonated deeply with many people. Six months later, I even have a couple of reflections on this post.

We absolutely need more rest. once I began to write down this list, I didn’t include obvious things like taking a nap or vegging and binge-watching Netflix: instead, I wanted to supply ideas that felt more like soul-level rest. These “types of rest” have resonated deeply with people that often desire their lives are moving too quickly to seek out the peace they have . Ironically, in making this list, i used to be also filling a niche in my content calendar because i used to be needing the remainder i used to be writing about.

We all have an Enneagram type. As an Enneagram coach, I see that our Enneagram types show up in little ways a day , even in people that don’t realize the Enneagram. the very fact that this list resonated so widely without being attached to the Enneagram reveals how important it's to talk to every individual’s type: it’s not always necessary to means the Enneagram to write down something that resonates with every type.

On a private note, I learned to always put a watermark on original work. I wont to think it seemed prideful to watermark something - as if putting my name thereon was operating under the idea that somebody else will love it enough to repost it. Now, I put my name on everything I create. Naturally, there are days when I’ve grown incredibly discouraged that I haven’t gotten credit (like when Jay Shetty posted it), but I also believe that the majority people that share it are simply sharing something that resonated with them. once I consider it that way, I feel honored that my words have made such an impression .




The Nine Enneagram Types, Explained


We all need rest, no matter Enneagram type. In fact, I’ve found that the majority people that have loved this “rest” post haven't any idea it’s Enneagram related! So if that’s you, here’s a fast explanation of the Enneagram and the way to seek out your type.

To find your type, begin with curiosity. It’s important to be interested by yourself, to watch what motivates you, and to stay an open mind as you start this process. The Enneagram is about growth and self-reflection. While tests are an excellent “quick fix,” they're often inaccurate and that they deduct the worth of learning about yourself as you are trying to work out your type. during this case, the slow route is best and more lasting.

Read through the descriptions of every type. Once you’ve narrowed it right down to a couple of , hear podcast interviews from each of the kinds (I like Typology and therefore the Enneagram Journey). Hearing another person’s perspective on what it’s wish to be that type is immensely helpful in determining your own type.

Motivation vs Behavior

Unlike many other personality profiling systems, the Enneagram is about core motivation. When reading descriptions, it’s important to stay in mind what truly motivates you. for instance , sometimes 3s and 5s have similar behavior (they both like to learn), but they need very different reasons for doing that behavior. concentrate to the motivation of every type as you learn.


The Nine Types by Core Motivation

Ones are diligent and industrious. they're idealists who view the planet in terms of what might be , and thus work tirelessly to perfect their environment. they need an “inner critic” - a voice in their head telling them to try to to better, be better, they ought to be perfect, etc. they need a robust sense of justice and need to form the planet a far better place. they're within the Gut or Anger triad, but they suppress their anger because they believe it isn’t right or appropriate to precise it.

Twos are warm and relational. they're motivated by a requirement to be needed, and that they believe they're loved for being lovable and helpful to others. They seek the love of others and in doing so forget their own needs. Twos are within the Feeling or Heart center - they feel tons , but often they're feeling the emotions of these around them, not their own feelings.

Threes are adaptable and achievement-oriented. they're motivated by a requirement to succeed or to seem successful; their chameleon-like tendency to adapt to any environment gives them the power to relate with anyone they encounter, but they often forget to think about their own identity. Threes are within the Feeling or Heart center, but they wish to stay busy to avoid encountering their emotions.

Fours are deep and sophisticated . they're motivated by a requirement to feel understood and a looking for a world that's not reality. Fours are idealistic, but instead of seeking to repair or improve things (like Ones) they have a tendency to mourn the shortcomings they see. Fours are within the Feeling or Heart center and are deeply emotional. they're on a search for meaning and significance in their life.

Fives are observant and cerebral. they're motivated by a requirement to realize information and understand everything they possibly can. Fives are within the Head or Fear triad, and that they use endless pursuit of data as a shield against feeling afraid. Fives begin every day with a measured amount of energy, and that they conserve their limited resources so as to avoid being depleted.

Sixes are responsible and community-oriented. they're motivated by a requirement to seek out safety and security within the world. As members of the top or Fear triad, they plan to deal with a gentle undercurrent of hysteria by predicting everything that would possibly fail and making an idea to survive it. They don’t trust easily, but once they open up they're deeply committed to their loved ones, and that they are very loyal.

Sevens are fun-loving and versatile. they're motivated by a requirement to avoid pain or discomfort (especially emotional pain), in order that they stay busy and seek fun wherever they are going . They see the planet as filled with opportunity, and that they stay busy to keep off the anxiety present altogether Head or Fear triad types. Sevens have tons of fun and need to be happy, but they're often too busy planning their next adventure to enjoy the present moment.

Eights are powerful and dynamic. they're motivated by a requirement to guard themselves and to avoid vulnerability. Eights are within the Gut or Anger triad, and that they aren't scared of confrontation. Eights have a keen understanding of their own intuition, and that they tend to trust their gut to steer them through life. they're truth-tellers and highly justice-oriented: they're going to always stick up for the underdog. 

Nines are harmonious and agreeable. they're motivated by a requirement to seek out internal and external peace. As members of the Gut or Anger triad, they often ignore their own sense of intuition, and that they repress their anger for fear of causing conflict. they're natural mediators and peacemakers who make others feel reception , but they nod off to their own opinions and desires in an attempt to stay the peace.


The Nine sorts of Rest, Explained

Earlier this year, i used to be interviewed by Well+Good about the Nine sorts of Rest. Here’s a snippet of that article, which details why I chose each “type of rest” for every Enneagram type.

Ones feel liable for everything, in order that they got to continue vacation to unwind, have fun, and luxuriate in time away.

Twos are constantly pouring themselves bent help others, so rest means permission to worry for themselves and to not be helpful.

Threes like to stay busy and be productive, in order that they got to just enjoy something that feels “unproductive” to them, like an art project, a slow walk, or doing something only for fun.

Fours long for beauty and meaning within the world, so spending time appreciating art or nature feels refreshing and fuels their creativity and pursuit of meaning.

Fives only have limited energy to offer every day , in order that they need alone time to recharge, to find out about their unique interests, and to be free from demands.

Sixes are concerned with their own safety and therefore the safety of others, so an opportunity from responsibility allows them to return up for air.

Sevens are constantly moving at such a pace that they don’t realize they're going to find contentment in stillness as they permit themselves to decompress.

Eights spend their energy protecting themselves from being controlled by others, so retreating to a secure space where they will let their guard down allows them to breathe.

Nines seek peace and luxury , and being home alone offers a cushty place where they will be themselves without feeling the necessity to merge with others.

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