Enneagram type 9 | Subtypes | Self-Preserving Subtype (SP) - nine 

I’m an SP 9w1, and I don’t like collections of things. When I get too much of anything (like books, clothes), I give them away to make space. “Stuff” has a negative drag on me and feels suffocating. That said, I do have a collection of thoughts, mostly related to health, diet, nutrition, mindset, and my daily 90-minute hot yoga practice, lol. And my daily goal is always returning to feeling peaceful.

You make hands down the best and most heart-piercing, soul-exposing enneagram descriptions on the internet. I’m debating between 8w9 and 9w8, so I’m learning everything about both and oh boy, “they resist your need” made me cringe. I’m listening to these with my husband and your 9 overview made both of us go “how does he know?” :’D

Thank you for this video! Very informative and helpful. When you talked about considering how much energy is put into routines, it made me think of a saying “Body in motion stays in motion, body at rest stays in rest”. As a sp 9, I can really relate to this. I find that routines help me do things without draining energy, like I would feel if I would always have to make a decision to start the activity. Starting and stopping takes a lot of energy.

I enjoyed this video, I am a self preserving nine and I identify so much!

❤ literally I’m elated to finally get to this video on SP 9. Why it took me so long is because of all the tests that mistype me and the videos/books that can’t get the SP-9 right. But you my friend nailed it. “My precious schedule”, when I heard that I literally chuckled ;). Thanks again for all your good work on clarifying the subtypes beautifully 😊.

Pearl Jam Corduroy ? Killing it bro..

A balance between contemplation & action!

You are the enneagram whisperer, certainly as far as the 9 is concerned. I appreciate greatly the nuance and subtle but important details that you present in your videos, and im so so grateful for the honesty you dish out. The greatest gift that I have experienced from the enneagram is that it holds up a mirror to those parts of me that I kind of knew were there but pretended were not, because to acknowledge them would have required me readjust my self image in a less ‘flattering’ direction. But of course it is those very parts where vanity, ego and self delusion reside, and since owning them my inner and outer worlds have loosened up, less tension, more acceptance and real self expression. You have a finely tuned skill in identifying and describing these shadowy parts. Thank you so much for the effort you put into making these videos.

23:57 I'm more of a social 9, but as a 9w8 this part make laugh of myself because I do that very often hahahaha. Recently a 5 came to me accusing of a lot a things I didn't just because she want cut me out of her life (for de secound time). I said: "do whatever you want, belive in whatever you want. You already made your decision, so goodbye e be well" than I just stop answering her (basically slam a figurative door at her face).

Absolutely amaing! It's so uncomfortable to learn about myself, but I'm very thankful for the insights. 🎉

Hi! Thank you for this video, I really enjoyed it, I feel what you said was very accurate, I identified alot the self-preservation 9 I really liked what you said about the difference of spending time on yourself and with yourself, and also about being intentional and making time to connect with others as well. I also enjoyed the part when you said to find someone who pushes your buttons haha (challenges you) in order to step outside of that comfort zone and being able to stay in that hard zone.

I love the dark purple wall. Taking the plunge 🎉

I have small collects of Don Miguel Ruiz books, Dr Phil Books, 5 or 6 Tao Te Ching books, Enneagram books, and starting Dr Mark Hyman's books. My collections are small.

Excellent . . . like looking in the mirror. Thank you.

I definitely think my mom and my step dad are both SP 9’s. Very routine. My mom once bought like 300 pine cones because they were on sale in bulk for $8. We have a pine tree. 😂

Enjoyed the video; very informative!

These are the best enneagram videos. This is 100% me

Very helpful and insuhhtful

thank you

As a sexual 4 who craves deep connection trying to connect with my self-preserving 9 mom who is allergic to deep conversations that might challenge her world view, this hit HARD. Any tips for showing love to this type?

Hi Drew. Thanks for these great videos! I believe I’m a 9, though it literally took me forever to come to that conclusion cuz I did a stint for 5 different types lol. Was very certain I was a 5 for a while but I think I may just be an SP 9. (I was very certain I WASN’T a 9. Probably because I really don’t want to be lol) You do a better job of explaining the 9 and subtypes than anyone I’ve found on RU-vid so thanks! When I realized I’m probably a 9 it really hit me hard. I had to reframe everything as ‘is that true or is it what I’ve been telling myself for years to give me peace of mind’ and it was really really hard. I always thought I was honest with myself and finding out I wasn’t and that I have so far to go really hurt. It still does. But I really want to change and I think knowing my subtypes can help with that! One thing that did upset me in these videos and annoy me (probably signs of being a 9 lol) were the repeated comments on changing so we can help the world. Call me selfish but all the things I want to do and all I’ve ever really wanted to do were for me and my betterment. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, though, and having achievement framed as ‘success in being a useful member of society’ or ‘making waves in the world’ is kinda annoying. The fact that things I do can even make waves is literally one of the things that keep me from doing stuff. So I know you’re trying to help but you seem like a type that thrives off looking like you’ve got it all and helping other people get to where you are. Which is fine. But that’s not everyone. And small achievements just for us should be celebrated. They’re sometimes the only thing keeping us 9s going. I think in the 9 overview you said something about it being disappointing for friends and family when 9s get so excited over little achievements while talking a big game and honestly that kinda hurt. I hate disappointing people but I also feel like that’s on them for having expectations in the first place. And if they can’t be happy for me when I make a small move how can I trust them to support me when I have to fight against everything in me to make bigger moves? It’s really hard and it kinda hurt being framed this way. I think it may be helpful as an authority for you to be more understanding that people want different things and there’s nothing wrong with living a life achieving small goals and trying to find peace. We don’t all have to be Steven Hawkings and Mother Teresas. Overall though these videos were so helpful and I’ll be watching them again and taking notes this time. The idea of writing a conclusion before asking people their opinions is a great one! Since I frequently think I have a strong opinion on something only to have it swayed by other (more confident) peoples’ words.

I just listened to the three "9" videos and they were great! But I'm still confused, I see bits of each sub-type in myself but I'm not sure which is my main one.

can i be a sp9 if I'm not that sensory-oriented? 9s descriptions are always focused on sensory stuff, while I don't think i focus much on it. My introverted sensing is basically non-existent, i believe i use the Ni-Se axis. I'm typed as INFJ, but sp9 doesn't really match with INFJ. it's complicated. I'm deciding between type 5 and type 9, but i believe I'm a type 9 because I'm more easygoing and calm. i also simplify things a lot compared to the 5s who overcomplicate things. but I'm quite bad with routines, i often plan my days into routines, but I've always failed to follow them

What is your tritype?

Sp’s will need solitude and resources.

Can an unhealthy sp 9 often have trouble with to much alcohol? (Me in my younger days)

sp 9 moment

It is important to note that we are each all 27 types. So when I eat an apple pie I am a self preservation 9. When I stand up to a bully I am an 8. When I go to a concert I am a 7. When I lock my car doors I am a 6. When I read a book I am a 5. When I brush my hair I am a 4. When I work hard I am a 3. When I call my mom I am a 2. When I drive on the right side of the road I am a 1. We are all types. All the time.