Nine Types of Rest 2.0
By Steph Barron Hall, Nine Types Co.
@ninetypesco
When I originally wrote “Nine Types of Rest,” I didn’t anticipate how deeply it would resonate with so many people. In November 2019, I took to Instagram again to ask what “rest” means for each type. Here’s a fresh, updated list - Nine MORE Types of Rest!
1 Permission to do something just for fun
2 Paying attention to my own needs
3 An unscheduled day
4 Allowing myself to say no to obligations
5 Going somewhere I want to go alone
6 Taking a nap
7 Being with people who let me be my full self
8 Taking a walk in nature
9 Quality time with a friend
TYPE ONE: Permission to do something just for fun
Ones don’t need permission - they are always allowed to do something just for fun! However, Ones often don’t allow themselves to have fun until their entire to-do list has been accomplished. So this permission is “self” permission AND it’s a reminder to those who love Ones: take on some responsibility and give them permission to do something just for fun.
TYPE TWO: Paying attention to my own needs
Twos spend so much of their energy taking care of others that they often neglect their own needs. Rest for Twos requires taking time to attend to themselves - it’s hard work, but it’s necessary in order to find deep rest.
TYPE THREE: An unscheduled day
Threes spend most of their time being productive! It’s rare for a Three to take time to simply enjoy life. An unscheduled day means waking up in the morning and engaging in activities that the Three WANTS to do rather than focusing solely on what is required of them.
TYPE FOUR: Allowing myself to say no to obligations
Often, Fours can be overwhelmed by the expectations and pressures of the world around them. As heart types, they might feel frustrated that they can’t do what they really want to do in the moment while also growing resentful as they continually fulfill the expectations of others. Allowing themselves to say “no” allows a Four to reengage in creativity and to find the joy and depth they are looking for in their life.
TYPE FIVE: Going somewhere I want to go (alone)
Fives have varied interests, and they love to learn about them! Often, the expectations of others can feel overwhelming to Fives, and they feel they can most enjoy their interests when they experience them alone. This could be a trip to the movies, a museum day, travel, a special restaurant, a concert, or anything else!
TYPE SIX: Taking a nap
Sixes need a break from their racing minds, and sometimes nothing will help but a nap. Real rest, for many Sixes, requires turning off and tuning out from the world for an hour or two.
TYPE SEVEN: Being with people who let me be my full self
Sevens are constantly looking for more from life, so they often get the reputation that they are flighty or constantly happy. In fact, many Sevens feel that they can’t let their guard down. The reputation that they are always the fun one turns into an expectation - they either feel like they need to turn themselves down OR they feel that they can’t share their real feelings. A Seven will feel most at rest when they can express the full spectrum of who they are.
TYPE EIGHT: Taking a walk in nature
Eights often feel pressure from the world around them. They tend to take on responsibility everywhere they go, and they feel the need to protect themselves from being encroached upon by others. In nature, an Eight doesn’t have to feel protected: walking on a beautiful trail can help an Eight process emotion in silence, solitude, and beauty.
TYPE NINE: Quality time with a friend
Nines are often social, but sometimes they end up feeling like they’ve disappeared in larger groups. Quality time with a friend can help a Nine feel truly known, heard, and seen - the experience of resonance and sharing can help a Nine to feel truly at rest.
Which type resonates most with you? If you want to learn more about the Enneagram, I’ve detailed each type in this post.
