Nine Types of Rest
Nine Types of Rest Original Post by @ninetypesco
By Steph Barron Hall, Nine Types Co.
@ninetypesco
Earlier this year, I was feeling burned out. I was working full time at a start-up, going to grad school, running my Instagram account, starting my coaching business, and planning a move across the state. I had a lot going on. In the midst of the busyness, a friend challenged me to take some time away from Instagram and my burgeoning business to be present in the most urgent spaces as I wrapped up one milestone in my career before moving on to the next thing.
“Nine Types of Rest” felt like the perfect title for a post: I was both encouraging others to rest while also speaking to myself. In June 2019, I asked in my Instagram stories, “What does rest mean for you?” and I was overwhelmed by the responses. As I sat down to read them, I began to notice themes emerging in the answers. Many Ones requested a vacation, while Twos just wished they could exist without being helpful.
As I combined the answers I read with my Enneagram knowledge, the list began to take shape:
Nine Types 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 a break from responsibility
7 stillness to decompress
8 safe space
9 alone time at home
After posting the list, I deleted the Instagram app, knowing I needed a mental break. A few weeks later, I began to see my list and artwork popping up on Facebook and Instagram - it was everywhere! The list spread like wildfire. Something about this simple post resonated deeply with millions of people. Six months later, I have a few reflections on this post.
We absolutely need more rest. When I set out to write this list, I didn’t include obvious things like taking a nap or vegging and binge-watching Netflix: instead, I wanted to offer ideas that felt more like soul-level rest. These “types of rest” have resonated deeply with people who often feel like their lives are moving too quickly to find the peace they need. Ironically, in making this list, I was also filling a gap in my content calendar because I was needing the rest I was writing about.
We all have an Enneagram type. As an Enneagram coach, I see that our Enneagram types show up in little ways every day, even in people who don’t know about the Enneagram. The fact that this list resonated so widely without being attached to the Enneagram reveals how important it is to speak to each individual’s type: it’s not always necessary to point out the Enneagram to write something that resonates with every type.
On a personal note, I learned to always put a watermark on original work. I used to think it seemed prideful to watermark something - as if putting my name on it was operating under the assumption that someone else will like it enough to repost it. Now, I put my name on everything I create. Naturally, there have been days when I’ve grown incredibly discouraged that I haven’t gotten credit (like when Jay Shetty posted it), but I also believe that most people who share it are simply sharing something that resonated with them. When I think of it that way, I feel honored that my words have made such an impact.
The Nine Enneagram Types, Explained
We all need rest, regardless of Enneagram type. In fact, I’ve found that most people who have loved this “rest” post have no idea it’s Enneagram related! So if that’s you, here’s a quick explanation of the Enneagram and how to find your type.
To find your type, begin with curiosity. It’s important to be curious about yourself, to observe what motivates you, and to keep an open mind as you begin this process. The Enneagram is about growth and self-reflection. While tests are a great “quick fix,” they are often inaccurate AND they take away the value of learning about yourself as you try to determine your type. In this case, the slow route is better and more lasting.
Read through the descriptions of each type. Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few, listen to podcast interviews from each of the types (I like Typology and The Enneagram Journey). Hearing another person’s perspective on what it’s like 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 keep in mind what truly motivates you. For example, sometimes 3s and 5s have similar behavior (they both love to learn), but they have very different reasons for doing that behavior. Pay attention to the motivation of each type as you learn.
The Nine Types by Core Motivation
Ones are diligent and industrious. They are idealists who view the world in terms of what could be, and therefore work tirelessly to perfect their environment. They have an “inner critic” - a voice in their head telling them to do better, be better, they should be perfect, etc. They have a strong sense of justice and want to make the world a better place. They are in the Gut or Anger triad, but they suppress their anger because they believe it isn’t right or appropriate to express it.
Twos are warm and relational. They are motivated by a need to be needed, and they believe they are loved for being lovable and helpful to others. They seek the love of others and in doing so forget their own needs. Twos are in the Feeling or Heart center - they feel a lot, but often they are feeling the feelings of those around them, not their own feelings.
Threes are adaptable and achievement-oriented. They are motivated by a need to succeed or to appear successful; their chameleon-like tendency to adapt to any environment gives them the ability to relate with anyone they encounter, but they often forget to consider their own identity. Threes are in the Feeling or Heart center, but they like to stay busy to avoid encountering their emotions.
Fours are deep and complex. They are motivated by a need to feel understood and a longing for a world that is not reality. Fours are idealistic, but rather than seeking to fix or improve things (like Ones) they tend to mourn the shortcomings they see. Fours are in the Feeling or Heart center and are deeply emotional. They are on a quest for meaning and significance in their life.
Fives are observant and cerebral. They are motivated by a need to gain information and understand everything they possibly can. Fives are in the Head or Fear triad, and they use endless pursuit of knowledge as a shield against feeling afraid. Fives begin each day with a measured amount of energy, and they conserve their limited resources in order to avoid being depleted.
Sixes are responsible and community-oriented. They are motivated by a need to find safety and security in the world. As members of the Head or Fear triad, they attempt to cope with a steady undercurrent of anxiety by predicting everything that could possibly go wrong and making a plan to survive it. They don’t trust easily, but once they open up they are deeply committed to their loved ones, and they are very loyal.
Sevens are fun-loving and versatile. They are motivated by a need to avoid pain or discomfort (especially emotional pain), so they stay busy and seek fun wherever they go. They see the world as full of opportunity, and they stay busy to ward off the anxiety present in all Head or Fear triad types. Sevens have a lot of fun and want to be happy, but they are often too busy planning their next adventure to enjoy the current moment.
Eights are powerful and dynamic. They are motivated by a need to protect themselves and to avoid vulnerability. Eights are in the Gut or Anger triad, and they are not afraid of confrontation. Eights have a keen understanding of their own intuition, and they tend to trust their gut to lead them through life. They are truth-tellers and highly justice-oriented: they will always stick up for the underdog.
Nines are harmonious and agreeable. They are motivated by a need to find internal and external peace. As members of the Gut or Anger triad, they often ignore their own sense of intuition, and they repress their anger for fear of causing conflict. They are natural mediators and peacemakers who make others feel at home, but they fall asleep to their own opinions and desires in an effort to keep the peace.
The Nine Types of Rest, Explained
Earlier this year, I was interviewed by Well+Good about the Nine Types of Rest. Here’s a snippet of that article, which details why I chose each “type of rest” for each Enneagram type.
Ones feel responsible for everything, so they need to go on vacation to unwind, have fun, and enjoy time away.
Twos are constantly pouring themselves out to help others, so rest means permission to care for themselves and to not be helpful.
Threes love to stay busy and be productive, so they need to just enjoy something that feels “unproductive” to them, like an art project, a slow walk, or doing something just for fun.
Fours long for beauty and meaning in 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 give each day, so they need alone time to recharge, to learn about their unique interests, and to be free from demands.
Sixes are concerned with their own safety and the safety of others, so a break from responsibility allows them to come up for air.
Sevens are constantly moving at such a pace that they don’t realize they will find contentment in stillness as they allow themselves to decompress.
Eights spend their energy protecting themselves from being controlled by others, so retreating to a safe space where they can let their guard down allows them to breathe.
Nines seek peace and comfort, and being home alone offers a comfortable place where they can be themselves without feeling the need to merge with others.
These types of rest require a little more intention and planning, but they can be fruitful when we make space for them. Which type resonates most with you? Follow along on Instagram to share your thoughts.
