Soundtrack to Your Type: Enneagram 7

 We will once again take a moment for those unfamiliar with the enneagram, I will be quickly breaking down each type before going into the playlist and why each song was chosen. If you are unsure of which type are, I would recommend visiting the Enneagram Institute to read up on each type to hear what motivates them, what their core fear/desires are, how they behave under stress, and more. When you read through each type, it will become clear which type you most likely are.

The enneagram is made up of nine types with three subtypes based on the instincts of each person for each type. They are social, self-preserving, and one-to-one. This, along with the wing, is why so many people who share the same enneagram type might seem entirely different from each other.

Over the last several months, I have been working to find a playlist for each type. Before we jump into this project though, I want to acknowledge that I do not speak for all people or any specific group/type. I am just a passionate fan of the enneagram, understanding human nature, and finding music to fit a situation. 

Today, I am inviting you to listen along as I break down the Enneagram 7 playlist.

This week we will be looking at Type 7: the Enthusiast. 7s are the final type of the mind center, and are often out of touch with their thoughts. They wing in Type 6 (7w6: the Entertainer) and Type 8 (7w8: the Realist.) 

At first glance, one might not understand why the 7 fits into the thinking center. While they are practical, their connection to so many things and projects, can make them seem a bit aloof from logic. However, 7s are able to use foresight and anticipate needs of others and where problems might rise in a project that they’re a part of. Most commonly, 7s are the most extroverted type. They thrive off of spontaneity and optimism. Their passion for life sometimes can lead to them overcommitting their time and can distract or exhaust them. They are creative and full of ideas that they won’t hesitate to share with you. They are adaptable and easily excitable. They value joy, fun, and abundance in life. Their basic fear is being deprived, trapped, or in pain. Their basic desire and motivation is to be satisfied and content. They are the type that basically created the term “FOMO,” or “fear of missing out.” In growth, they navigate towards a type 5 by prioritizing their happiness, appreciation, and maintaining their goals. In stress, they move towards type 1 by losing their sense of adventure and becoming occupied with planning and structure. 

7 THE ENTHUSIAST

The Busy, Fun-Loving Type: Spontaneous, Versatile, Distractible, and Scattered

“Seven” by Sleeping at Last

“How nice it'd be if we could try everything

I'm serious, let's make a list and just begin

What about danger? So what, what about risk?

Let's climb this mountain before we cross that bridge!”

As always, Ryan O’neal has written a beautiful song in honor of this enneagram type. 

“It feels like sinking when I'm standing in one place

So I look to the future and I book another flight

When everything feels heavy, I've learned to travel light”

It speaks to their desire to keep moving forward through life, gathering the best of each moment. It captures the optimism and joy while also establishing their commitment to people. It explains the essence of a 7 so beautifully. Listen. It’s light-hearted and so fun. Enjoy it, the 7s would want us to! 

“Collapsible Lung” by Relient K 

“Between the miles of open road

I lost sight of what might matter the most

...

To take a breath and then take it in

To think of places I'll go I haven't been

To pour my heart into everythin' I found

Time won't slow down”

At the recommendation of Nichole, friend of mine who is a 7, this song easily found it’s home on this list. It reminds me of the positivity of the 7s in my life who take everything with the outlook of “it’s a good time one hundred percent of the time” as this song says. A theme you’ll soon learn of the 7s is the “open road” or traveling type. This is attributed to their desire for abundance. They simply want to experience everything that life offers them. Not unlike the other types in the mind center, home and exploration is an important theme that we will return to before we get through this list. 

“Never Come Back Again” by Austin Plaine

“I wanna wake my soul

Climb the highest mountain

...

I wanna find my love

Lose myself in passion

...

I wanna see the end

Of a world that's rounded

I wanna know what it feels like to never come back again”

What a perfect song to capture the desires of a 7. It felt impossible to just choose one or two lines that really speak to the 7s, as this entire song could be the anthem in a 7’s soul. 

“Dance Alone” by Blanks

7s, being in conflict with their thoughts, often fill their days to the brim as a way to avoid their own thoughts. This song, which was written at the peak of the covid-19 lockdowns, speaks greatly to that. It’s about learning how to cope with feeling locked out while things change around them. Speaking less metaphorically, about spring coming when they’re stuck inside due to self-isolation. As we round out one full year after the stay at home orders were put into place, this song is still too relevant and too resonating with the type 7s’ mindset. 

“Been staring at the wall today

Still looking for some meaning

I tried talking to myself for a change

To ask me how i'm feeling

I've been running out of room to think

I need a higher ceiling

Called all my friends cuz i need help

Distract me from my demons”

“I’m Good” by The Mowgli’s 

“We're looking for something more

What you're really looking for

It's been with you since you were born

Since you were born”

Like I mentioned above, 7s navigate towards type 5 in growth. This song feels like that to me. It’s confident and all about finding contentment in life. It’s a song of encouragement for others to seek love and joy and come together. 

“Vacation” by Dirty Heads

“Everybody sour like a lemon tree

I'm just smiling down upon my enemies”

I think it’d be a hard to find a more 7 song than this one. It’s about embracing life and doing what you love. It also touches on the deep appreciation that 7s feel. And it makes you want to dance. Perfect for a 7! 

“Close my eyes, sometimes can feel as if I float away

I love the life I live and enjoy the ride along the way

‘I make a living out of living,’ yeah, that's what I'll say

I've got one life to live, and I wouldn't live it no other way”

“Canyon Moon” by Harry Styles

This song speaks to the 7s desire to travel and explore, while holding onto the love that they have for “home.” The joy of experience new places is always matched with the feeling of belonging that home holds  This is something that 7s understand well and find so special. 

“Staring at the ceiling

Two weeks and I'll be home

Carry the feeling

Through Paris, all through Rome

And I'm still thinking back to

A time under the canyon moon

...

I'm going, oh, I'm going home”

“Liability” by Lorde

With a drastic turn of the page, let’s take a look at something a little harder for 7s to talk about. This song was recommended by Nichole as well, and when she explained that this song speaks to her 7-ness, my heart broke for her heart. It’s the realization that not everyone can live in the passion and spontaneity that a 7 feels so comfortable in and the fear that leads 7s to running from home and finding constant change. 

“So they pull back, make other plans

I understand, I'm a liability

Get you wild, make you leave

I'm a little much for

Everyone”

“Pink Skies” by LANY

“Shut up, I love you

You're my best friend”

A summer love song fits with a 7’s vibe and attitude so well. This song is just that. It’s seeking out the “pink skies” and beauty that life offers. Even if the “love” in this song doesn’t last, 7s tend to chase the highs of the feeling of contentment and bliss. 

“I'm in love with how this feels”

“Road Trip” by Diet Cig

“Make our way to the ocean

Forget about our everyday obligations”

This song speaks to the 7s who maybe don’t have a sense of home. That could be in a literal sense or simply because their soul has been searching for one for so long. It’s the spirit of the 7 who wants to drop everything to explore across the country (and invite their friends to come along!)

“Don't know which way to go

Don't know where to call home”

“Wherever I Go” by The National Parks

“It was something in the distance

That kept me, lead me on

To a brand new world, to a great beyond”

Finally, the song that I feel like is the anthem for 7s. This song releases the search for “home” and let’s the 7s know that home is in them. I love this song so much. It’s beautiful and feels like an answer to a question that helps 7s come into who they are meant to be. 

“As the river flows and the city glows

I'll be following the open road

...

And Oh, I will never be alone

'Cause wherever I go 

I'm home”

BONUS: “Her Joy Was Complete” by Sleeping At Last

It feels almost wrong to end on a fully instrumental track, but this song is so beautiful and I’m hoping that 7s will find themselves even in this. Let yourself feel the joy and contentment. Through this whole list, there’s been a strong theme of “home” and travel and a search for happiness. It feels right to end here. To my non-7s, I hope this helps you understand the desires and love for life that 7s have. They are great reminders that life is truly the best gift. We could all use this reminder as a direction for how we want to live. 7s, I hope you feel cared for and loved through this list. 

Next week we will be looking at the first type in the body center. Type 8. I can’t wait to break down some misconceptions with you! 

Peace. Lil.