Enneagram 7
The Adventurer
Wings 6 & 8
Arrows 1 & 5
Type Seven
Spirited, lighthearted, humorous, and flexible. Sevens are enthusiastic dreamers who have a heightened imagination that can instantly see possibilities. They are good at keeping life upbeat and enjoyable but are quick to avoid their own or other’s pain as they don’t like feeling down. For them, their glass isn’t just seen as half full, it can be seen as overflowing. Their ability to see the bright side is a wonderful gift, and when they couple that with the capacity to hold suffering, they are truly resilient. They are always on the lookout for new and satisfying experiences, so they often have a jam-packed schedule. Underneath the desire for more experiences is a fear of missing out, and if they’re not careful they can overstretch themselves, become completely exhausted, and miss out on life itself.
Overview of Type 7
Core fear: To feel limited, trapped in pain, and be without excitement or pleasurable options
Core desire: To feel happy, find fulfillment, and be satisfied
Focus of attention: Optimism and opportunities - seeking the positives in all situations, having a wide variety of options, and idealizing future plans
Limited belief: I’m not able to be happy if I let myself be limited or feel pain
Liberated knowing: I am able to experience life fully by living in the present moment and feeling the full range of human emotions
Strengths: Playful, imaginative, lively, optimistic, spontaneous, wise, quick-thinking, synthesizing mind
Blind spots: Intrinsic happiness and self-experience
Three part defense system:
Defense mechanism: Rationalization - immediately reframing painful feelings or refusing to take responsibility for your behavior
Avoidance pattern - Suffering
Idealized self-image - "I am OK"
Enneagram Sevens use the defense mechanism of rationalization to avoid suffering and maintain the idealized self-image of being "OK". The idealized self-image is who our type structure believes we need to be, and we can unconsciously or consciously avoid anything that challenges this image. As a Seven learns to be with suffering, and knows that they can be OK in the suffering, it deepens connection within themselves and with others.
Mental healing & growth:
Moving from habit of mind to holy idea - planning to holy work
Planning - Anticipating what’s next, looking forward to the future, and missing out on what’s here and now
Holy Work - Knowing that awareness and presence creates fulfillment, which allows you to stay in the current moment with unwavering constancy
Emotional healing & growth:
Moving from passion to virtue - pride to humility
Gluttony - A constant desire for a wide variety of pleasurable experiences to fill up the feeling of an inner emptiness
Sobriety - A willingness to slow down and get grounded, which allows you to be fully satisfied and fully experience each moment
Coping strategies
True Self
Going to the felt sense to create safety in your body which allows you to stay present with the pain
Using grounding techniques to keep your focus on the here and now
Practicing being with feelings without trying to fix them
Noticing the fear telling you to run and explore the feelings underneath
Deepening your capacity to attune to others
Type Structure
Prioritizing pleasure and fun to avoid anything that could be painful
Living in the future vs. the present
Invalidating yours or others feelings by using positive reframing
Escaping perceived constraints and limitations
Focusing only on your needs and desires
Creating emotional safety with a 7
Listen to their ideas and stories
Remind them that it’s okay to feel painful feelings
When they do share their fears and feelings, take them seriously
Don’t dismiss them when you think they’re not paying attention
Reminders as a 7
Commitment is not a limitation
Developing empathy creates real connection
Be mindful of the avoidance of negative feelings
Practice being with your own, and others, pain
Other peoples desires are just as important as yours
Give your full attention to what's present
Learn to embrace conflict and criticism
Breaking the stereotypes
People can think I…
Am flighty
Don't feel pain
Am only ever happy
Won't go deep
Won't commit
The whole truth is I…
Also love structure and plans
Am learning how to be patient and present with feelings
Truly can see the positivity and happiness in every scenario
Am discovering how to face life's difficulties with myself and others
Can be afraid that commitment will limit me
“Life gives you plenty of time to do whatever you want to do if you stay in the present moment.”
— Deepak Chopra