I'm a 9
I’m a 9 on the Enneagram. So what?
I feel like there’s two type of people these days, those in tune with their Enneagram number and those thinking Ennea-what?! No shame if that’s you! I’ll just give you a quick rundown.
As a prerequisite to working at my former job, I had to take the Enneagram test to learn my personality type. Now listen, I’m the first one to call this mumbo jumbo from a mile away. I mean, every single personality test thus far has told me the obvious, I’m an extreme extrovert that likes to be creative. I’m pretty sure that if you spend just 5 minutes with me you’d peg that pretty quick. But this Enneagram test cuts deep, people. It tells you what you are like, what you’re like at your best or what you do at your worst, how you react to situations… I mean I was spooked.
So why do you care?
Well if you take anything from this at all, I think it would be awesome for you to take the Enneagram test too and see what it tells you about your personality. I also just wanted to share some of the key points about me because it might help you understand my goofy personality as well.
What’s a 9?
I’m a peacemaker. What up all my hippies!!
I won’t lie, this was no shock to me because I have vivid memories of my mom calling me “the peacemaker of the family” ever since I was little. Siblings fighting? I’d step in and tell them to chill out. Someone crying because their toy broke? I’d go sit with them until they cried it out and attempt to glue it back together. Only 1 slice of pizza left? I’d cut it in fourths so each kid gets a bite.
See what I’m saying?
There are definite pros and cons to this type of personality, which is what this Enneagram oh so directly pointed out.
1. I see the good (sometimes to a fault)
I can’t even count how many times I’ve met someone new over an hour-long coffee date then came home to tell Peter about my new best friend. I mean, it’s almost ridiculous looking back haha. Am I besties with them all??! Not even close. But in the moment, I am completely enthralled in their story, thoroughly enjoying the banter we share as we sip lattes and laugh.
2. Empathy for days
We spent spring break in the Dominican Republic during my junior year of highschool. It was so lavish with the most powdery sand and neon water, the kind that artists only dream of. We stayed in an airbnb on the beach where each morning we would watch a homeless man walking along the sand, with this crispy bronzed skin, long white hair and, for lack of a better term, adult-diaper. His belongings were stowed away on the sand while he would spend hours floating in the water. We watched him for days. On our 5th day there, I decided to bring him some food; a couple hot dogs, a water bottle and some pretzels. What I thought would be any easy delivery turned into him wanting a conversation. He motioned for me to sit down, so I did. He then grabbed his guitar and put it in my lap, attempting to teach me how to play. He spoke Russian and hardly had any teeth so the entire process was a bit ridiculous.
In the end my mom came to join me, not wanting to leave me at the will of a stranger with a guitar. Obviously it all ended up okay, I was just trying to get a homeless man a hotdog ahah.
3. I suck at confrontation
Holy tamole, is this a big one for me. I am the last person to ever confront people with issues, and although it has been good for the most part in terms of keeping me out of fist-fights haha, it has also made it tricky for me to share my thoughts. I find myself easily walked all over by people who are much more assertive than me. I think that combining my innate need for peace with my ‘Minnesota Nice’ roots, this has become an area for growth in my life.
4. Decisions...not for me.
Yeah, I think this would be Pete’s #1 frustration with me, and I can’t blame him! It’s my #1 frustration with myself! I mean deciding where to eat dinner is an ordeal with me, lemme tell ya! I will rarely be the first to suggest where to go, and if I do, it will be a list of 3-5 places with secret hopes of the one I really want being chosen. Why? Well because when someone isn’t satisfied with something (in this case a meal) I take it to heart, feeling like I personally was the one making the meal & that I didn’t make it well enough. I know it’s crazy.
5. I can fit in anywhere
Gotta end it on a positive. I guess I’m not sure if this is actually part of being a 9 or if it’s just a me-thing, but I feel like you can set me in any social situation and I’ll be a-okay. I absolutely LOVE to talk. I have ever since I was a little girl, ask any of my family members! So, while some people would be hesitant to go to a conference, meetup, etc. alone, I’m totally comfortable being there solo.
I hope this helped you understand a little more about me. The Enneagram has helped me understand myself more than anything else, and encouraged me to grow as a person. I really really REALLY think you should try it for yourself! You might learn a thing or two!
Leave your number below! I am so curious to see what you are!
Cheers!
xoxo - Katie