Soundtrack to Your Type: Enneagram 9

Hey, it's been a MINUTE!  Thanks for your patience. Leave it to 9s to be the most patient of the ennea-fam.

That said, welcome back! As always, I’m going to take a moment to breakdown the enneagram briefly for those unfamiliar with the enneagram before going into the playlist and why each song was chosen. If you are unsure of which type are, I would recommend visiting the Enneagram Institute to read up on each type to hear what motivates them, what their core fear/desires are, how they behave under stress, and more. When you read through each type, it will become clear which type you most likely are. 

The enneagram is made up of nine types with three subtypes based on the instincts of each person for each type. They are social, self-preserving, and one-to-one. This, along with the wing, is why so many people who share the same enneagram type might seem entirely different from each other.

Over the last several months, I have been working to find a playlist for each type. Before we jump into this project though, I want to acknowledge that I do not speak for all people or any specific group/type. I am just a passionate fan of the enneagram, understanding human nature, and finding music to fit a situation. 

Today, I am inviting you to listen along as I break down the Enneagram 9 playlist.

This week we will be looking at Type 9: the Peacemaker. 9s are the middle type of the “gut” center, which I prefer to call the body center. The three types that make up this center focus on one’s instincts. 9s are often threatened by their instincts.. They wing in Type 8 (9w8: the Referee or the Advisor) and Type 1 (9w1: the Dreamer or the Negotiator.) 9s are called peacemakers because of their need to resolve conflict and feel, well, at peace with the environment and people around them. They are creative, supportive, accepting, and trusting. Their basic desire is To have inner stability "peace of mind." Their basic fear is loss or separation. They want to create harmony in their environment, to avoid conflicts and tension, to preserve things as they are, to resist whatever would upset or disturb them. In stress, they gravitate towards being more anxious and worrisome, like a 6. In times of growth, they become more self-developing and energized, like a 3. They can be adaptable and sometimes will bend too far backwards to keep the peace.

I know it seems like I struggled with this playlist, but I have had it completed since 2021... I more struggled with finding the right words. And as a 3, who goes to an unhealthy 9 in stress, I avoided picking this project back up for the longest time. I don't have much more of a reason than that...  Okay, let’s get into this playlist. 

9 THE PEACEMAKER 

The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type: Receptive, Reassuring Agreeable, and Complacent

“Nine” by Sleeping At Last

“Honestly, it’s easier

To let myself forget

Still, I check my vital signs

Choked up, I realize

I’ve been less than half myself

For more than half my life”

This song by Sleeping At Last is especially impactful. Ryan O'Neal himself is a 9, so writing from their perspective was easier than putting himself in the shoes of other types. You'll catch on, but 9s often test as various other types. They can see a lot of themselves in other types, which I believe has something to do with their adaptability and desire for peace between types.   

“It looks like empathy

To understand all sides

But I’m just trying to find myself

Through someone else’s eyes”

“Pretty Shining People” by George Ezra 

“Man help me out

I fear I'm on an island in an ocean full of change

Can't bring myself to dive in to an ocean full of change”

Sometimes in the Enneagram, a song just ~feels~ right. I think with 9s, that's really often the case. While they desire peace, and we will get to that, they just are reliable people to have around. I think this song showcases that nicely. 

“Let's Be Still” by The Head and The Heart

This song makes me think about how 9s sometimes need extra grace to get to a place where they are comfortable speaking up. One of their danger points is how easily they go along with everything. Sometimes it takes a moment of stillness for a 9 to re-center.

“The world's just spinning a little too fast

If things don't slow down soon, we might not last

The world's not forgiving of everyone's fears

The days turn into months, the months turn into years

So just for a moment, let's be still”

“Lemon Boy” by Cavetown

“So Lemon Boy and me, we just gotta get along together"

In this story-song by Cavetown, he talks about getting to be friends with someone who is "bitter" and how they learn from each other. It reminds me of how my older brother, who is a 9, would react to meeting a citrus friend. 

“Rich” by Jordy Searcy

“But you don't have to worry

I won't ever make a lot of money

All that I can give you

Is the treasure of my time”

Jordy Searcy is an artist I discovered in between now and when I last looked at the enneagram playlists. It'd be fun to listen through all his stuff and put a song to each type. This one reminds me of the easy-going-ness and comfort in safe-people that 9s feel. 

“Window” by Nana Grizol

“So I won't stumble as I follow down this path

Cause words that are spoken are just other things to have

And love you have given in your lifetime gives you back

I hope I remember to believe that”

When a 9 is in an unhealthy place, they become more anxious. They tend to overthink and over apologize and create unhealthy habits. This song feels hopeful to move past those and to grow into a healthy and happier place. 

“Ready Now” by dodie

“Feet firm on the ground

We stood hand in hand

And I told the world

That I have a plan"

This song, I think, is written from the perspective of a 9 and a long-term friend or loved one. 9s focus a lot of stability and can thrive in long-term relationships where they don't have to feel guilty for resolving conflicts. Their partners often can help push them to be more confident and ready to take on whatever the challenge is. 

"A promise of hope

Is enough to feel free”

“Doombop!” by The Toxhards

“First thing I did when I crawled from the wreckage

Was scream 'Please don't call 9-1-1!'”

9s, like 2s, hate to burden people. Often times, when a 9 needs help themselves, they won't always ask for it. This song is an extreme look at that.

“The Men That Drive Me Places” by Ben Rector

“Oh, how am I the only one who knows

I'm half the man of the men that drive me places?”

This is another story song that just beautifully emanates the energy of a 9.

“Mother” by Kacey Musgraves

“I'm feeling everything

The weight of the world on my shoulders”

There's something so special about 9s, and how they see and feel so much from each other type. This song is beautiful and nostalgic and gives me the same feeling as putting myself in the shoes of a 9.

“Peace” by Ben Rector

“I want peace, it's where I am now

It's the only thing I haven't found somehow”

This song almost feels as if it was written specifically for the enneagram 9 (Mr. Rector, do you know your enneagram type??) It touches on going to a 3 in growth, seeing himself in other places, but truly desiring peace. It's perfect and would be the anthem song of 9s, if I could pick only one song.

And that's it! Enneagram 9. I hope this helps you understand and love the 9s in your life. 

We will be looking at Type 1 very soon and wrapping up this whole project!

Peace. Lil.