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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