To date, we have covered the heart-centered Types – Type 2s, Type 3s and theType 4s; as well as how the head-centered Types – Type 5s and Type 6s deal with sadness in their lives.

We are looking at the last of the head-centered Types today – Type 7s. So, let’s get right to it.

 

Type 7s when dealing with sadness

Type 7s deal with sadness through rationalisation. 7s characteristically are good at reframing their pain points into a positive by rationalising a theoretical reason (which may not be entirely steeped in fact) for the pain they are feeling. Phrases such as “This was a good learning experience”, “I have been made stronger by this” allows them to avoid the pain of processing the pain with a positive one-liner.

This defense mechanism allows the 7s to create an idealised perception that their sadness is far more manageable than it may rationally be.This may then lead 7s to only experiencing the surface tension of their sadness and not go deep in the processing (where the 4s excel at) of the core pain of their sadness.

This may then lead the 7s using gluttony for external experiences to help them avoid the pain of sadness but the more they indulge in these ‘pleasurably fun’ experiences, they soon realise that all these experiences do not help them fill the emotional hole in their being. This hole can only be filled when the 7s finally sit down with the pain of their sadness and process it.

 

What to say to a Type 7 dealing with sadness

  • “I know you think we only value you to make us happy. What would make us happy would be for you to allow us to be here in your times of sadness as well.”
  • “Let me be here with you as you process your sadness. It may get uncomfortable but we will get through this ”
  • “Life is more complete when we acknowledge both the fun in it and when we sit down to confront the pain of our sadness. Let me be here for you in this time so that we can process it together”

 

An Encouragement to our Type 7s

You are naturally optimistic about life and that is what we love about you. However, life is a journey where there are low points of pain and sadness as well. So, instead of avoiding the low points, why not take a chance to process your pain so that you may experience joy in its truest form. With the integration of your processed pain into your core, you will then help bring happiness and hope to those who hear your inspirational stories of how you still love life despite your pain.

For anyone with a Type 7 in your life, please always ensure if they ever ask to sit down with you and it is clear that they are in pain, please immediately give them your attention, sit with them and just journey with them in their vulnerability.

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