This week - the one between Christmas and New Year’s Day - always feels a bit strange. Today I'm feeling half "holiday blues" and half hopeful for what’s to come.

For most of us, January is about newness. We often feel compelled to get "back on track" after the holiday busyness, or we find ourselves inspired to be a different version of ourselves. As an Enneagram Three, I'm always looking for new ways to improve myself and my life, so I love to set intentions for the New Year.

Earlier this year, I was feeling burned out. I was working full time at a start-up, going to grad school, running my Instagram account, starting my coaching business, and planning a move across the state. I had a lot going on. In the midst of the busyness, a friend challenged me to take some time away from Instagram and my burgeoning business to be present in the most urgent spaces as I wrapped up one milestone in my career before moving on to the next thing.

“Nine Types of Rest” felt like the perfect title for a post: I was both encouraging others to rest while also speaking to myself. In June 2019, I asked in my Instagram stories, “What does rest mean for you?” and I was overwhelmed by the responses. As I sat down to read them, I began to notice themes emerging in the answers. Many Ones requested a vacation, while Twos just wished they could exist without being helpful.

As I combined the answers I read with my Enneagram knowledge, the list began to take shape: