The type that’ll try everything once. Or twice. Or three times. Or… you get it.
I recently taught an Enneagram workshop for a team of leaders. The head of operations who brought me in? An Enneagram type Eight.
But the one who had the whole room buzzing?
(And when I say buzzing, I mean literally sprinting from table to table to ensure everyone had what they needed, flitting to my side to talk excitedly about the Enneagram, chatting with coworkers in every corner of the room, and answering questions left and right with ease. Every time I looked up, she was doing something new, somewhere else. 😂 Juggling. Entertaining. Orchestrating.)
You guessed it. She’s a Seven!
Think of this type like the Enneagram’s jack of all trades: People capable of pursuing endless interests!
And not just in terms of jobs or hobbies.
But their soul — their essence — is all about experiencing everything that calls to them. Carpe diem! The world is beautiful! YOLO!
So let’s take a look at what makes Sevens do what they do by looking at the most important part of the Enneagram, which is your core motivations.
(Psst… This is the section not to skip. If you’re gonna leave before finishing the whole post, make sure you at least read this nugget first.)
This is the heart of the Enneagram: why we do what we do. And how does that influence our behavior? We examine the answer to that question by looking at these four internal motivations:
Core Desire – “If I get this, I’ll be fulfilled.”
Core Fear – “If this happens, I’m doomed.”
Core Weakness – “This is the thing I wish I didn’t struggle with.”
Soul Message – “This is what I need to hear to feel whole.”
But these aren’t just nice-to-know… They're the ONLY way to figure out your Enneagram type.
So if you’re not sure whether you’re a Seven, pay attention. Often, when people read their true core motivations for the first time, it stings. Like, ugh, please, no thank you, that feels wayyyyy too cringe.
But that uncomfyness is a sign that you found something real. And that’s what’s so freaking cool about the Enneagram:
It brings parts of ourselves to the surface that don’t usually see the light of day!
So let’s dive in, shall we?
Core Desire: Being happy, fully satisfied, and content
Core Fear: Being deprived and not making the most out of their time on earth
Core Weakness: Gluttony — constantly seeking to be fulfilled by the next experience or stimulation
Soul Message: “You have everything you need to be happy.”
Lovers of silver linings and fun
Haters of negativity and routine
Always up for a spontaneous adventure
Constantly adding new countries and experiences to their bucket list
Struggling with FOMO (fear of missing out)
Good at creating innovative visions for the future
The Entertainer: They are happy-go-lucky fun chasers! They chase new experiences and fill their days with people, plans, and passion projects. They tend to be loyal, playful, and very interpersonal. A main challenge of this wing combo is that they may exaggerate underlying fears and struggle with anxiety and self-doubt.
The Realist: They are innovative entrepreneurs and leaders who love exploring and creating. They tend to be free-spirited and passionate. A challenge with this pairing is that their assertiveness can tip into dominance, and they may come across as a bit snooty and superior to others.
(See this training with me for a full breakdown on Enneagram wings!)
Here’s what sets the Enneagram apart from other typing systems: it doesn’t treat your type like a box. It shows how you move, what growth looks like, and what happens under stress.
Each type connects to two others via “arrows” or paths. But in reality, four paths show how you evolve:
Growth Path — Your best self
Stress Path — When you’re overwhelmed
Blind Spot Path — The patterns you don’t realize you’re stuck in (especially when you’re with people you love and trust)
Converging Path — Deep transformation
Let’s talk about it! ⬇️
When thriving, a Seven taps into the high side of Type 5. You don’t try to distract yourself from hard emotions and situations. Instead, you let yourself feel, even if it’s uncomfortable. You lean into the groundedness of a Type 5, sinking into the peaceful knowing that you have everything you need to be happy.
Under stress, Sevens move toward the low side of Type 1. You build up walls and rules. You become more critical of yourself and others. The strict inner perfectionist (borrowed from the Type 1) comes out in full force. It makes you get upset with people when they mess up your fun plans.
This is the side of you that can sneak up when you're around the people who make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. You may slip into the lower side of Type 5, hoarding your energy and spiraling into a dark place. You stop trying to spin hard things into positives, taking on a more pessimistic POV.
This is what happens when transformation starts to change who you are on a deeper level: You move to the healthy side of a Type 1. You’re able to focus on your top priorities rather than trying to hold space for EVERYTHING. You slow down, take a breather, and embrace the realities of life. This doesn’t mean you lose your sparkle. It just means you are willing to think and act differently if it will bring more well-being to your life.
I think actor Jim Carrey might be an Enneagram Seven, evidenced by this very Seven-ish quote:
“My focus is to forget the pain of life. Forget the pain, mock the pain, reduce it. And laugh.”
Because Sevens try to avoid pain at all costs. Even the worst of news goes into a spin room. That impulse to lighten the load is a beautiful trait. Because you can look on the bright side when no one else can, innovate in places people wouldn’t imagine, and lift up even the saddest of people.
Like when Chris Traeger on the TV show Parks and Recreation says,
“If I had to have anybody tell me that I had cancer, I would want it to be me.”
But what happens when you just can’t do it anymore?
And trust me, that does happen with Sevens.
‘Cause you can forget the pain of life for a while…
But eventually, the stress of pushing off the very real feelings and burnout you’re experiencing will catch up with you. That’s when it’s time to check in with your Enneagram arrows. To ask yourself,
“Alrighty then! (Jim Carrey reference hehe)”
“What do I need to do to grow into a healthier, more grounded version of myself?”
Sevens often fall into the trap of future-thinking. This means that, because they’re always looking for the next best thing, they forget to be here, now.
Now, this trait is ALSO what makes them such good and innovative visionaries! Seriously. If you want someone to give you the coolest 5-year plan for your new business venture, ask a Seven to help you brainstorm.
But this can also make it hard for Sevens to stay present. That’s why I always encourage you to come back to gratitude.
Keep a journal. Say it out loud. Let it anchor you. It won’t take away the pain, but it will bring more peace.
If this hit home, I’d love to hear from you:
Is there an instance in your life where you put on rose-colored glasses instead of facing a harsh reality? Share it in the comments!
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