Other Characteristic Traits And Psychodynamic Considerations

Renunciatory

A recurring theme in the life of a Self-Preservation 9 is allowing things to happen passively (believing "God will provide") and lacking determination and diligence when facing day-to-day challenges. This strategy is rooted in the belief that a higher power will decide what should happen. In this surrender, there is an element of acceptance that can be seen as healthy and even wise. However, there is also a harmful resignation that reflects a lazy personality, unable to act according to their own desires and needs.

Distant

Heartburn or laziness can lead to postponing more intimate relationships with loved ones (such as siblings and friends), which prevents the development of affection, respect, and fraternity. This ultimately creates distance from people who are truly important. In reality, the experience of not existing and failing to see oneself is reflected in the difficulty of feeling the presence of others: they are unseen. This leads to feelings of loneliness and frustration.

Positive in Their Imagination

Reading love novels and watching romantic comedies or dramas serves as a substitute for the love they don’t experience. It’s as if they live through others' lives, content simply witnessing their happiness, even though they don't share it. This allows them to believe that although they lack love today, one day it will be possible.

Emotionally Insensitive and Distrustful

The Self-Preservation 9 cannot tolerate emotional intensity in the long run. Feeling too much is seen as dangerous; there is a fear of losing control, and anxiety arises from unknown aspects of themselves. They fear discovering something about themselves that might be revealed if they embrace emotional intensity.

Showing oneself without fear of judgment is associated with the idea that the more you show, the more you feel. This reduces the need for others, potentially leading to a state where they no longer need anyone, which carries the implicit risk of being left alone. Excessive pain could either overwhelm them or make them lash out; too much pleasure could be seen as lustful; too much joy could make them feel childish and inadequate; and too little joy could make them seem shallow and, above all, selfish.

They lack confidence in their emotions and thoughts. They don’t believe their feelings, thoughts, or desires are valid. Following their impulses without the approval of others seems dangerous. At the core, there is confusion between being and not being, accompanied by a fear of rejection or indifference. On one hand, they need to believe in themselves, but without confirmation from the world, they feel they cannot exist. To avoid conflict or problems, they resign and adapt.

Physically Insensitive

The Self-Preservation 9 places great trust in their body and its ability to respond to challenges. The body is seen as the guarantee of survival and the tool with which they face difficulties. They must always feel healthy; if their body is unwell, they feel betrayed.

"I don't take drugs, so when pain tries to stop me, the drug kicks in quickly and gets me back up and running fast." (Anna)

"If I feel physical pain, I think the body should handle it on its own, as if it can heal itself. Medicines, especially chemical ones, seem like intruders that make me dependent. I ask myself: 'What if the drugs weren't there, how would I cure myself if the body became dependent?' It's better to try to overcome the illness on my own with my resources. Another great trust is the belief that 'it will pass.' It scares me to think I might have to go to the hospital because I would be in the hands of doctors, and they might not be able to protect me; so my body must avoid serious illness." (Emilia)

Reactive and Rigid

To support their reasoning, the Self-Preservation 9 requires a lot of anger and energy. They start with their "shotgun loaded" because they don’t truly trust their reasoning. They often feel their thoughts will make them appear foolish, childish, or out of place, thus inappropriate. When they argue and feel unheard, they automatically raise their voice—believing that shouting will force the other person to listen. In reality, this is a way of injecting energy into a line of reasoning they cannot sustain assertively. They think the other doesn’t understand them because they don’t want to listen, making them feel invisible and unimportant.

Consequently, they become stubborn, refusing to admit when they’re wrong, and will hold on to weak arguments rather than changing their stance. They stiffen because they feel caught between a rock and a hard place, needing to defend themselves. If they recognize that the other is right, they fear giving the other person power over them, but they also realize that renouncing their self-affirmation in the name of "peace and harmony" feels like betraying themselves. They often convince themselves that it's better to give up and say, "It's okay, whatever happens." Initially, they may feel anger, but then anxiety, doubt, and fear of being left alone creep in, weakening their resolve. Ultimately, they become stubborn to avoid appearing weak and to remain faithful to their ideas.

Friendly and Insecure

The Self-Preservation 9 is friendly. They want to present their ideas and contribute to conversations, even if their input is often perfunctory. They tend to stay neutral during discussions between friends or colleagues. When they do speak, they may become verbose and passionate about their thoughts, expressing themselves with emphasis and emotion. However, while speaking, they are highly attuned to the reactions of their listeners to gauge whether they agree. They may slip in words that ask for approval. If they sense discomfort, they quickly lose confidence and become deflated. To communicate effectively, they need simple, clear words—what they seek is "frankness," without detours or manipulations that might erode their self-confidence.

If they receive approval for their thoughts, emotions, or actions, this becomes a point of strength that they will revisit repeatedly, as it validates their existence in the world. This approval compensates for the insecurity and fear of rejection they feel when they expose themselves to others.

"I often use the phrase 'I don’t know' even when I do know because I have trouble positioning myself and I’m unsure if what I think might hurt others." (Pilar)

Resistant to Change

He needs certainties, and accepting change is an effort for him as it questions his reality. He fears not knowing how to orient himself anymore, and trying another path may mean getting lost. He lacks confidence in his ability to find the resources to protect himself. He suffers through change by resisting it like a storm, waiting for it to pass. He is like a reed that bends but does not break and adapts. He is afraid of what is different and unsure of how to live up to change. The situation overwhelms him because he does not understand it. He learns not to desire in order to survive, and even changes he considers positive are experienced as destabilizing.

“I often tell myself that if progress depended on me, we would hardly have discovered the wheel. I am not fascinated by technology, and I accept learning to use it only if it serves a purpose. I bought a Vespa when I was twenty-five because, living in the mountains and working in the city, I couldn't keep moving on foot or by bicycle. I only got my driver’s license because my sister changed her car and gave me her old one. In my opinion, this aspect of the character is well displayed, in an amusing way, in a character, Uncle Vanya, from Roy Lewis’s book The End of the Pleistocene. I use the computer to write, but lately, I think I should continue writing on paper. This gadget is a technological progress that makes me dependent.” (Emilia)

Other Self-Preservation 9s, though they crave change, seek it through superficial modifications or hope it happens on its own. They easily give up their desires, not only to avoid conflict but also to save themselves from frustration. This character understands the polarity of opposites but does not accept that they can coexist instead of canceling each other out. It is an emotional rigidity born from insecurity, fear, and the habit of giving more value to the world's perspective than to one’s own feelings. White is certain, and so is black, but if they mix, he no longer knows how to recognize them.

Voracious, In Its Inertia

There is an unconscious voracity for experiences and knowledge, but a lack of internal drive to overcome inertia and start the search. He harbors the illusion that it must come from

outside, like lighting from above. He doesn’t know how to search because he doesn’t believe in his intuition or his desires. He fears making mistakes and, therefore, getting lost. He remains frustrated and subconsciously hungry. This is why he looks for the "extraordinary" that upsets everything; it frightens him and excites him to imagine something extraordinary. Being amazed by what happens to him brings him into contact with life. It is the opposite of the ordinary and activates desire.

“I believe in the existence of other lives in the Universe, and I fantasize about finding them. It excites me horribly. But then I ask myself: ‘How would I react if one day, suddenly, I really met an alien?’ And I answer that I would be amazed, excited, happy, with my mouth open; that my only reaction to something so extraordinary would be to shake his hand and say, ‘Good morning!’ As if I found it every other day!” (Emilia)

Imaginative

Not knowing how to live in reality, he seeks escape routes. He is under the illusion that his kingdom is not of this world and that he can live in another. In his infantile escape from reality, instead of facing it, he prefers to live the experience with his eyes closed, indulging in sensations that transport him to another dimension, rather than living in the present. He despises his own abilities, thinking, "I am not up to this world," with a sense of victimhood, "No one understands me." He does not feel of this world, but has nostalgia for another dimension where there is only harmony.

“Sometimes I have thought that I should have been born in another century or in another time.” (Pilar)

Reality is never completely acceptable to the Self-Preservation 9, who spends a lot of energy coloring it without actually transforming it. They can endure a lot, standing firm, while imagining they are revolutionizing the world. However, registering real change requires substantial mental effort and self-control. One day, if they haven’t made small, substantial changes, they may explode like a pressure cooker, acting impulsively and sweeping everything away.

Dependent

If someone accuses him, his first reaction is to believe that the other is right and that it really is his fault. Only later, after rethinking, might he realize that he could not be solely responsible.

“I am very aware of the look of others and their judgment towards me. In an art workshop, I realized that the first thing I do when I look at a painting is look at where the people are directing their gaze. This makes me question the extent to which I am aware of the gaze of the other, to situate myself in my relationship with them, and the extent to which I am demanding that the gaze be directed towards me.” (Pilar)

Conflict Avoidance

It takes him a long time to process an experience. It’s not enough for him to get burned once to learn that fire can be dangerous. To reflect means to judge, and that brings conflict with himself. Conflict generates anxiety, doubt, confusion, destabilization, and even the possibility of choosing himself over the other, which brings him closer to the taboo of selfishness. That is why he cannot relativize and takes everything very seriously, both relationships and commitments.

Avoidant of Choosing

In the face of abundance, he does not know how to choose; everything seems the same, and one thing is just as good as another. Not knowing what he wants turns into compulsive greed, making him try everything. Choosing takes effort, and he can postpone important decisions indefinitely out of fear of making the wrong choice. He is afraid to take risks, and if he overthinks or feels too much, he becomes paralyzed, which causes anxiety. He doesn’t know how to make the assessments that would allow him to choose. Instead, he chooses impulsively when he finally acts. This leaves him clueless, as he is always weighed down by many things. Choosing implies the need to take a position, to acknowledge an "I" that desires, and this is something he avoids.

"I'm clueless. I often pay for things in stores and forget to take what I just bought. I put it down to the fact that I am usually very loaded, with my backpack, my bag, and what I buy..." (Pilar)

Concrete

Money is important only to the extent that it helps him get what he wants. If he likes an object, he might pay above its value without realizing it, or he might find the price of an item too high, even if it works perfectly for him. From excess to lack, he impulsively splurges or hesitates after overthinking. If he sells something he made and enjoyed creating, his price will only cover the material costs because he cannot charge for the pleasure the act of creation brought him.

"I enjoy cooking for friends and I cannot conceive of making them pay for the pleasure of having cooked for them, not even to cover the expenses." (Fosca)

"At work, I have difficulty getting paid. I get tired of stipulating a contract and often quit work because of this difficulty. It seems strange to me that my work is paid, also because I also do it as a volunteer." (Rita)

Low Self-Esteem

Impatient, he wants everything, and he wants it now. He expects perfection the first time and does not know how to handle frustration. He doesn’t believe in his ability to learn from setbacks. “I'm worth nothing.” This self-judgment is met with rebellion: “I don’t need it.” He prefers to give up fighting.

Rebel

He automatically goes against things. If the situation is tense, he assumes the role of an observer who doesn't want to get involved. If the situation is harmonious, he becomes intolerant and provocative. This is linked to internal rebellion. He often remains outside real participation, wasting time interpreting situations instead of living them fully. He is also confrontational with himself and undisciplined. The mind sets tasks, but his heart and gut don’t cooperate; there is no emotional involvement. This creates the illusion that he is free, that he does what he wants, not what he should, as a substitute for pleasure.

Shy

There is much shyness because he feels invisible in the world, merely an observer. He becomes very uncomfortable if he finds himself in the spotlight; he feels exposed and must force himself to avoid being the center of attention. In relationships, he never takes the first step because he believes the other person won’t be interested in him, that he will be a bother. He fears rejection and depends heavily on others’ judgments.

Procrastinator

He is better at postponing than confronting. He easily puts off tasks he dislikes or finds tiring, especially when they lead to conflict. Alternatively, he postpones because the situation demands organization and movement, but he doesn’t know where to start. He gets lost and gives up.

Sacrificing

He sacrifices himself automatically, offering his altruism without question. He perceives the discomfort of others and makes himself available to them. He renounces his needs and offers this renunciation to others. Deep down, he has a passive claim to be seen and loved for his ability to give. He elevates the other person to a divine status, putting them on a pedestal. For the Self-Preservation 9, it is taboo to feel like a god, so he projects this image onto others, making them absolute, unique, and radiant with their own light. He agrees to be their shadow, as through this projection, the other person will restore his own brilliance, allowing him to live off their reflected light. This can be seen as a form of parasitism, where he feeds the other and, in turn, nourishes himself.

Involved and Attached

He has difficulty letting go, whether it’s from relationships or experiences. He can remain attached even when he senses that something is over. It's always better than wandering aimlessly without direction or purpose.

"I have a hard time letting go of things, goodbyes, although I usually pretend they don’t impact me. In farewells, I am happy, but after a while, when the person is no longer there, I let myself feel the sadness." (Pilar)

Autonomous

He doesn’t like others depending exclusively on him because it scares him. He fears this would take away his power and interfere with his need to feel free and independent. He can give himself fully to the other person but feels that being indispensable involves too much commitment and responsibility.

Unlimited

He finds it hard to accept that there are limits, either for himself or for the world. He doesn't feel any constraints and often doesn't know when to stop or when he should, as if he could keep going indefinitely. This reflects the principle of inertia, where a body continues in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force. It stems from his belief that he only exists if the other exists, as he is not in contact with himself. Fear, however, can become an ally, signaling that it’s time to stop. Its manifestation pulls him into immediate contact with himself.

He views revenge as a potential consolation strategy, sometimes ruminating on it without ever acting. He remains attached to his rage. He struggles to accept that for others, this anger is not just a temporary emotion. In response, he employs manipulative strategies to determine if the other person is still angry with him. He needs to know whether the conflict has escalated into a war for the other person, and he craves a return to harmony, seeking peace with the world and confirmation that the conflict is over.

Anti-Conventional

He doesn't intentionally set out to break social rules or challenge authority, but at the same time, he doesn't have an issue going against social conventions and moral guidelines. He struggles to maintain roles because he doesn't know how to navigate them formally. This often makes him appear aggressive and overly self-confident when, in reality, it’s more about his inability to recognize the value of having a defined role to help protect himself.

Simple

He feels most comfortable in the midst of nature, where he holds a deep love and respect for animals. In nature and with animals, relationships unfold in a much simpler way.