7 Wholesome Hobbies for Enneagram 9 [The Peacemaker]

26 August 2024

enneagram 9 hobbies

The best Enneagram 9 hobbies are creative and solitary, leaving plenty of room for self-expression and introspection. Nines tend to get lost in other people’s personalities, so they should pursue activities that reaffirm who they are.

Read on to discover which hobbies suit Enneagram 9, why they are an appropriate choice, and how they can stay consistently engaged with a hobby.

General Overview of Enneagram Type 9

A peaceful woman enjoying the nature

Enneagram Type 9, or the Peacemaker, is agreeable, easy-going, and open-minded, with a strong need for balance and harmony. Nines have a natural knack for mediation and resolving conflicts when they arise in their surroundings.

Furthermore, Nines are creative daydreamers with a rich inner world they like to retreat to when they need a break from reality. For that reason, they may come across as somewhat absent-minded or distracted, though they are quite observant and insightful.

However, the downside of their peace-seeking personality is that Nines often put their needs last, preferring to go along with whatever others choose. As a result, they may seem too passive, vague, and indecisive, which can annoy some of the more action-oriented types.

This level of agreeableness isn’t beneficial to Nines, either—they may find themselves accepting things they don’t want or even losing their identity. After all, if they always go with the flow, they might discover that they no longer know what they like when not influenced by others.

Of course, not all Nines are the same. Through the so-called Enneagram wings, some Nines are influenced by their neighboring types—Eights and Ones.

Enneagram Nines with an Eight wing (9w8) tend to be more focused, determined, and assertive, often prioritizing their own needs. On the other hand, Enneagram Nine with a One wing (9w1) is highly observant, insightful, and empathetic, guided by a strong sense of justice and righteousness.

7 Enneagram 9 Hobbies & Activities to Pursue

Hobbies for Enneagram 9 should focus on this type’s individuality and need for self-expression, which are often forgotten and overshadowed by other people’s needs. Therefore, Nines tend to benefit the most from creative pursuits, such as art or writing.

With that in mind, here are our top picks:

#1. Meditation

Nines are the most spiritual type in Enneagram—they seek connections with the universe, nature, and other people to fulfill their need to go beyond the ordinary and mundane. As a result, meditation is an ideal Enneagram 9 hobby, allowing them to take a few minutes each day and focus on the energies flowing through them.

Even those Nines who aren’t interested in spirituality could benefit from meditation. After all, everyone needs a moment to themselves, away from all distractions and everyday worries, to recharge and refocus. And meditation provides just that—a time for deep breathing and inner peace.

#2. Journaling

This practice might be one of the most effective ways for Nines to reestablish their sense of self and remind themselves of their own needs. As mentioned earlier, this type can easily get swept away by others’ wishes, often forgetting what makes them who they are.

However, regular journaling can help with that—it’s where Nines can be fully open and honest without fear of conflict or judgment. They can freely express their needs and wishes and also explore their negative feelings. This can teach them who they are and what boundaries they need to set in their interactions with people.

#3. Creative Writing

Creative writing - enneagram 9 hobbies

Journaling is a deep dive into your psyche, but creative writing is a bit different—a type of introspection that feels less intrusive. In fact, it can be relaxing and fun, allowing Nines to give their imaginations free rein.

For many Nines, creative writing is an ideal hobby, combining self-expression and creativity.

Nines may have trouble putting their feelings into words, and even writing about them might feel alien. However, expressing themselves through characters and worlds that appear unrelated to them likely feels more natural and gives them more freedom to be who they are.

#4. Art

Similarly to creative writing, art gives Nines the voice that they often lack in their daily lives. They may not be able to explain how they feel or why for fear of starting conflict and being misunderstood, but they can show it on a canvas or in a different art medium.

Furthermore, as creative types, Nines have a natural inclination toward art, usually in the sense that they like to consume it in its various forms. So, why not try to create it, too? Even if it’s not perfect, a finished art piece will give them a sense of accomplishment unlike anything they’ve experienced before.

#5. Reading

A perfect Enneagram 9 hobby is any activity that allows this personality type to take a break from reality for a couple of hours. Reading falls squarely into this category, so it’s hardly a surprise that Nines can often be found with their heads buried in the pages.

Though Nines rarely discriminate when it comes to books, they usually gravitate toward fiction, particularly novels that dive into characters’ psyches or offer fresh insights. Typically, they seek both positive escapism and understanding in their books and keep them close to heart when they find that.

#6. Exercising

A woman exercising in nature

Working out may not fit in with the other peaceful Enneagram 9 hobbies, but it certainly belongs on this list—after all, Nines also need something to shake them up. Since they are so prone to mentally drifting away, an occasional workout can ground them and remind them that they have a physical existence, too.

Generally speaking, Nines are unlikely to do highly intense workouts that push their bodies to the limit. However, gentler cardio, yoga, or some other type of relaxing exercise would suit this type perfectly and bring them a much-needed respite from their thoughts.

#7. Spending Time in Nature

When asked how they connect to the world around them, many Nines cite spending time in nature as one of the best ways. This is where they feel most at peace, observing and inhaling the tranquility and quiet energy of their surroundings.

Most Nines prefer to enjoy nature on their own, with no distractions to impose on their peace. However, some may be more inclined to bring their friends and family along. After all, the conversations that occur against the natural backdrop can bring Nines closer to their loved ones and make them feel more connected and appreciated.

How Can the Peacemakers Choose the Right Hobby?

The Peacemakers can choose the right hobby by examining their own needs and desires and focusing on activities that align with them. Usually, these will be hobbies that take advantage of their creativity, provide them with some degree of escapism, and help them express themselves.

However, Nines should remember not to use hobbies to avoid the real world and its problems. An occasional distraction is acceptable and even necessary, but hiding from a hobby shouldn’t be their default response whenever something’s troubling them.

Furthermore, Enneagram Type 9 tends to be drawn to solitary hobbies like writing, reading, or meditation, which can result in self-isolation. That’s not necessarily a negative thing, but it can be if Nines don’t take care to still make time for their loved ones.

3 Tips on How Enneagram Type 9 Can Stick to a Hobby

Easy-going as they are, Nines often go with the flow and put little effort into changing their lives or environment. In that same vein, they are likely to drop a hobby the moment the first obstacles appear, not wanting to exert themselves too much.

Luckily, there are ways to overcome this problem and learn to stick to a hobby, which we will examine in more detail below:

#1. Take Time for Yourself

Nines are used to ignoring their own needs for others and spending too much time trying to ensure their loved ones are happy. As admirable as that may be, it also leaves them with little energy to invest in themselves and the activities they like.

That doesn’t mean that Nines have no hobbies of any kind, but they are the type most likely to pick up an activity because their loved ones suggest it. Even when choosing how to spend their free time, they might be overly focused on what others want.

Considering that, they might not be as invested as they would be if they took up something on their own. Therefore, they should take some time for themselves and examine what they really want to do.

#2. Find Like-Minded Individuals

A group of people gardening - enneagram 9 hobbies

If Nines ever feel that their motivation to keep up with their hobby is waning, they could seek out people with similar interests. Discussing the things they love with other people who are passionate about them might give them the boost they need.

Of course, the first people to turn to are their friends and loved ones, but if they find no kindred spirits among them, there are many other options. For example, joining online forums and groups is a good way of connecting with other enthusiasts, and taking part in offline communities is even better.

#3. Be Proactive

If Nines fall into their go-with-the-flow tendencies, they likely won’t make much progress in their hobby, which, in turn, might demotivate them. Once they enter this state, it’s only a matter of time before they drop the activity that they now find uninspiring.

However, if they push themselves to improve, they will discover that their hobby can be consistently engaging. For instance, painting may not be stimulating if all they can do is draw the outlines of a house, but once they master perspective and shading, their experience with it will completely change.

Find Your Inner Peace

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Key Takeaways

Enneagram 9 hobbies put an emphasis on this type’s individuality and bring peace, stability, and introspection into Nine’s lives. Overall, here is a brief overview of what we’ve learned in this article:

  • Enneagram 9 hobbies are generally relaxing and solitary, though an occasional shake-up in the form of exercise is also beneficial.
  • Some of the best Enneagram 9 hobbies include reading, journaling, creative writing, art, meditation, working out, and spending time in nature.
  • Nines must take a proactive approach with their hobbies, as they might get demotivated by their lack of progress otherwise.