The Challenges of being an Enneagram Type 9

When I saw that the Enneagram Type 9 deal with stress by withdrawing from reality, just puttering, procrastinating, being passive aggressive, cocooning themselves in comforting routines, hiding out in fantasy or study, "zoning out" (dissociation - feeling blank and not connected to anything), seeking comfort from food, fleeing into fantasy or worry, hiding from anxiety by doing "busy work", suppressing their own feelings to "keep the peace" and putting others needs first, I didn't think that could be me. It has taken me a while and some time observing my own behavior to realize that I really do these things.

Procrastination For example, yesterday I had set a goal of writing the post about the positive qualities of the Type 9. Before I started, I decided to rearrange a couple cupboards, put in some laundry, and check my emails. By then it was 1:30 and my husband was home for lunch. After lunch, he was going to put a new sink drain in the kitchen sink. I told myself that he would probably enjoy having me nearby while he worked, and perhaps I should do some Christmas decorating in this room while he was there; after all we should enjoy all the time we can together - we are getting older. 

At that point, I smiled at myself. What did I think I was doing? Well, I knew what I was doing. I was procrastinating doing something that was difficult for me to face. They say that Type 9 people like to stay in the background and not draw attention to themselves or "brag" about themselves. Having to write a post about what I like about being a Type 9, simply wasn't something I felt comfortable doing, so I was putting it off by doing "busy work" and puttering around doing things which didn't need to be done at that time. I was even trying to use my husband's supposed "needs" to help me avoid doing what I found difficult.