What’s the Enneagram, and what are we talking about when we say type SEVEN? Check out our Enneagram Types on Vacation post and our Enneagram Resources page to learn what the Enneagram is and why we think it’s helpful when applied to travel.

- People don’t fit in boxes
- Who is Enneagram type SEVEN?
- Type SEVEN strengths
- Type SEVEN struggles
- Leveraging Enneagram type SEVEN strengths and struggles in travel
- Type SEVEN and vacation
- Traveling relationally for type SEVEN
- Type SEVEN and traveling the world
- Here’s what a few type SEVEN said…
- More resources
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People don’t fit in boxes
One of the major arguments against personality typing systems is that people are so multi-faceted; how can a personality type define all of the subtleties of an individual?

We have been amazed at how extensive the Enneagram is. While you can dabble and learn a great deal of helpful information, you can also deep dive and still not touch the bottom.
We would never want to put anyone in a box or say that we understand another human being because we will never experience how another brain works. However, we’ve found the Enneagram a helpful resource to articulate how we’re motivated and in learning how to relate to each other as we travel together.
Who is Enneagram type SEVEN?
At their best, type SEVENS are full of joy. They have a boundless love for life. They tend to be organized, love variety, and interact easily with people. Their practical, cooperative spirit helps them accomplish a lot.
A SEVENS high energy and sense of humor are infectious, making them popular companions.
But, the SEVENS desire to avoid pain and deprivation at all costs has a dark side. SEVENS like to keep their minds busy, and their bodies occupied at all times. A spinning mind is hard to ground in the present moment, and the constant need for variety and stimulation can exhaust others.
Gluttony causes a SEVEN to avoid unpleasant or dull situations by escaping, seeking pleasure, or mental stimulation, often defeating their long-term goals.
To better understand SEVENS, use our Favorite Enneagram Resources to Help You Learn the Enneagram.
Type SEVEN is often called…
The Generalist, The Connoisseur, The Energizer, The Epicure
Basic fear
Being deprived, trapped, or bored.
Basic desire
To be happy and content.
Key characteristics
Multi-tasker, fun-loving, spontaneous, curious, playful, scattered, and escapist.
Deadly sin or passion
Gluttony.
Type SEVEN strengths
Healthy SEVENS live with a sense of abundance and infectious enthusiasm. They maintain a positive attitude and live fully while encouraging others to do the same.
They rarely order the same thing twice, see all the possibilities in life, and are connoisseurs of good things.
They’re imaginative, playful, and laugh easily.
SEVENS like to brainstorm and tell stories. They’re lively talkers, and when emotionally healthy, they can also be good listeners.
“Sevens are frequently endowed with quick, agile minds and can be exceptionally fast learners. This is true both of their ability to absorb information(language, facts, and procedures) and their ability to learn new manual skills – they tend to have excellent mind-body coordination and manual dexterity (typewriting, piano playing, tennis).”
The Wisdom of the Enneagram
Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson
Type SEVEN struggles
Curiosity defines a SEVEN. It’s a gift and a curse. The need for change, constant mental stimulation, and new experiences are not sustainable. At some point, there are chores to do, maintenance to take care of, and self-restraint needed.
SEVENS avoid pain at all costs – they are masterful at spinning every sad, disappointing, frustrating, or limiting situation into something more positive. Avoidance is usually not the best solution through tough times.
The SEVENS deadly sin of gluttony is not so much about food (although that can be an issue) but the insatiable need for new experiences, stimulation, and material things. SEVENS have a hard time finding the “enough” line.
They seek instant gratification and will often risk far more than they can stand to lose.
Leveraging Enneagram type SEVEN strengths and struggles in travel
Awareness of our strengths and struggles is often half the battle to address them. When we know what we’re good at and weak in, it’s easier to work in a team, seek help, or leverage what we know about ourselves to improve our circumstances.

Travel strengths
SEVENS make great travelers willing to explore and open to new experiences.
SEVENS radiate joy, optimism, and the childlike energy to experience everything. They are also practical and can channel all that energy into solving travel problems and making things happen.
A SEVEN can find limitless and often amazing experiences on any trip – they will create their entertainment if needed.
Travel struggles
SEVENS live for the adventure around the corner. Due to their future time orientation, they constantly think about what’s next – to the detriment of the present. And unfortunately, they often get disappointed when reality doesn’t live up to the great expectations in their heads.
When unhealthy, SEVENS can become nervous and manic. They begin to get cranky and demanding – especially when deprived of their comforts.
SEVENS are the Enneagram type most prone to addiction. Something to keep in mind when traveling since vacations tend to present opportunities for vice more than everyday life. A SEVEN might want to think twice about trips involving drinking and gambling, for instance.
SEVENS have a “play now, pay later” attitude toward life. This means on vacation, they tend to spend more than they should.
Type SEVEN and vacation
What does vacation mean for type SEVEN?
Vacation with a SEVEN will never be dull. It’s a chance to see the world, meet people, seek variety, and have new experiences.
The question Sevens are always asking themselves is, How can I jam as many pleasurable experiences into this moment as possible? Their source of satisfaction is never found within them or in the present moment; it’s always external and in the far-distant future.
The Road Back to You
Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile
Traveling relationally for type SEVEN
SEVEN traveling with others
SEVENS move fast mentally and physically, so they can get frustrated when the rest of the world (i.e., their travel companions) don’t keep up. As a SEVEN, it’s essential to be aware of this tendency and mentally prepare to slow down.
“SEVENs are curious. It is as if what they already know or have is never enough. They need change, simulation, new experiences. They always have to ferret out new possibilities of maximizing their Joie de vivre. In their calendar, there are as many beautiful and exciting dates as possible.
The Enneagram a Christian Perspective
Richard Rohr and Andreas Ebert
A SEVEN can lean into their strength for anticipation by reveling in the planning of a trip. They love to gather information about sources of things to enjoy – this is a great help when planning a trip, and your travel partners will appreciate it. Make plenty of lists to get your many ideas out of your head.
Remember, a significant benefit of travel is connecting with your companions. You can’t do that if you’re mentally slipping away from the present moment.
Traveling with a SEVEN
Because SEVENS are so good at bringing energy and excitement to a situation, their travel companions begin to rely on them to boost their mood.
SEVENS can begin to take on this unspoken role – it becomes a burden. Ironically, when the SEVEN is making themselves the center of attention, people around them get annoyed.
Suppose you have less energy or desire to see ALL. THE. THINGS. than your SEVEN companions, be honest. Build time into the trip to separate – let the SEVEN have another adventure while you recharge your batteries. Just be sure the SEVEN knows this is not a rejection of their company but a way to make the next leg of the journey better for both of you.
Type SEVEN and traveling the world
Skills for the type SEVEN tool belt: improve travel experiences
Skill 1: Seek silence and solitude
For your mental health, get comfortable with silence and solitude. Practice this daily as a life skill.
Slow down and cultivate a quiet mind. Observe and discipline yourself to stay in the moment.
There are many opportunities for silence and solitude on trips. SEVENS must carve out the time to recenter.
Another way of saying this: SEVEN take a chill pill every once in a while, or you will wind yourself up into such a high pitch of manic energy no one will want to be around you.

Skill 2: Sign up to learn something new
SEVENS can be interested in almost anything. They love to learn a little about many things, and they’re usually fast learners.
Vacation is the perfect opportunity to give your generalist free range. Sign up for a class or lessons and delve into a new subject or skill.
If you’re a physically adventurous SEVEN, this could be a surfing lesson, a caving tour, or a samba class. A more cerebral SEVEN might enjoy a guided tour at an art museum, a film festival, or a writing workshop. Hands-on SEVENS will revel in a cooking class, learning a traditional craft, or a photography excursion.
And who are we kidding? Most SEVENS would be game for all of the above.
Not only will you satisfy your desire for variety and new experiences, but you will also meet new people in the class—a win-win for SEVENS.
A SEVENS, pragmatic side causes them to be happy and focused when they feel productive.
Skill 3: Pick one and savor the moment
A SEVEN has a hard time accepting limits. And because of the Fear of Missing Out, they can become paralyzed to pick from the many options the world offers.
There are endless choices, from which flavor of ice cream to which countries to visit.
A SEVEN will select too many bites, places to see, and experiences – and ultimately, in their gluttony, come away without genuinely experiencing anything.
They want to try everything and often order the ‘taster tray’ both literally and figuratively. But too much dilutes the experience.
Remember that a pleasure, overdone, becomes displeasure.
Bring yourself back to the moment if you begin to think about the next adventure, experience, or greener patch of grass.
Notice how the anticipation and desire for other experiences and things prevents you from savoring what you are experiencing right now. To explore this, you can play a game: take a moment to find something of wonder in your immediate experience. What is the gift you are receiving right now?
The Wisdom of the Enneagram
Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson
Here’s what a few type SEVEN said…
Interview #1: Annette Jones from Sanur Bali Guide
What is your favorite part about traveling?
Planning
The trip itself
Looking back
All of the above
Something unique to you
It’s all of the above, together with learning and experiencing the culture of the country I’m visiting. Learning about the food, culture, and people.
What do you think vacation means to your number?
Adventure
What is something you/SEVENS struggle with when traveling?
Returning home, often I could keep traveling.
[I think SEVENS] struggle most with the end of a trip.
What is your biggest hurdle when preparing for a trip?
There are no hurdles that I can think of.
How do you go through the process of choosing where to travel?
It depends on what we feel like doing on a trip and what we want to see and experience (i.e., a flop-and-drop holiday or an exploration holiday to discover new things and cultures).
How often would you travel if you didn’t have work or budget restraints/how often do you think your number would travel?
I’d travel slowly and deeply. Staying in places for extended periods, months rather than weeks, to really “see” a new town or city.
[Type SEVENS] Full-time or at least several times per year if it is viable.
Interview #2: Rachel Lowisz from The ADHD Diaries
What is your favorite part about traveling?
The trip itself and looking back.
I spend a LOT Of time reminiscing on old trips. Each time I’ve traveled has been a monumental period in my life, so I constantly look back on places I’ve gone, people, I’ve met, etc. I’m not a hung planner, though – I love having the flexibility to do whatever, go wherever…
I even prefer excursions like seeing specific sites, participating in a specific activity, etc., to be spontaneous.
What do you think vacation means to your number?
A time of complete freedom to go wherever, do whatever, eat whatever… with zero limitations. Absolutely none. Nowhere to be, nothing on the schedule, just a wide open time to enjoy.
But of course, with plenty of options for things to do if we feel like it.
What is something you/SEVENS struggle with when traveling?
I struggle with taking advantage of everything the place I’m going has to offer, mostly due to the language barrier. I hate feeling like that “stupid American” who needs everyone to speak English and doesn’t understand the customs.
While I try my best to use as much of the language as can, I almost avoid experiences for fear of coming off poorly for not knowing the language. Anxiety doesn’t help with that – sometimes, it’s a big production just to order a second coffee.
For SEVENS, I think the struggle is having all the big ideas and best intentions in the world but being so scattered, nothing actually gets accomplished! For sure.
What is your biggest hurdle when preparing for a trip?
I pack everything I own…then some more… then a little more!
I brought a submersion blender to Barcelona.
How do you go through the process of choosing where to travel?
My husband picks where we go, and I like it that way. He tells me where to be and when, and I show up!
He has specific places he wants to go to and often includes work on those trips, and I just want to go somewhere all the time. It doesn’t matter where we go; I just want to go somewhere, and he picks that somewhere.
How often would you travel if you didn’t have work or budget restraints/how often do you think your number would travel?
I’d travel for a month or so 4-5 times a year if I could. I found out after spending 3 months in Guatemala that the permanent-digital-nomad thing isn’t for me. I get very homesick, especially for my two dogs. But I like to be on the move every few months with a home base to return to each time.
I feel like most SEVENS would travel full-time if they could! My dogs are really what mess it up for me. I’d maybe be more of a full-time traveler if it weren’t for them.
Anything else you would like to add?
My ADHD definitely contributes to my seven-ness! I have so many ideas (and they’re all so big!) that it’s hard for anything to get completely done. My spontaneity has led to some pretty interesting travel experiences – from randomly deciding to get my septum pierced in Antigua, Guatemala, to making the last-minute decision to spend the entire night dancing at the Sonar festival in Barcelona.
More resources
Favorite Resources to Help You Learn the Enneagram
Enneagram Type One on Vacation
Enneagram Type TWO on Vacation
Enneagram Type THREE on Vacation
Enneagram Type FOUR on Vacation
Enneagram Type FIVE on Vacation
Enneagram Type SIX on Vacation
Enneagram Type EIGHT on Vacation
Enneagram Type on NINE on Vacation
Enneagram Types on Vacation: Wrap-Up
The Road Back to You
The Path Between Us