Alright, here we go.
First off, I massively misunderstood Type 7 at first glance. It sounded awesome, but it didn't sound like me. I made several errors when I dismissed it. Firstly, I thought "spontaneous" meant totally unplanned, but the dictionary definition states, "Having a natural, and uninhibited manner". This is very true for me. Even still, it turns out that Sevens are
centered around planning. Not necessarily fulfilling their plans, but thinking about the
future. This greatly applies to me. I definitely don't accomplish everything I plan, because there's just
so much I want to do! I also don't feel guilty about not getting to things, because there is just so much wonder in the world, and priorities win out.
Secondly, I misunderstood what Extroversion was. There are so many definitions out there, and under the MBTI one, I felt like an Introvert. I'm extremely independent and introspective, and I'm not typically concerned with others. However, I am stimulated by both the inner and outer worlds. I can't stay cooped up in my head for long before I long to explore, to discover, to interact with the world. Sevens are
independent types. Even as extroverts, they are more concerned with ideas, activities, excitement, and less so with people.
Thirdly, I misunderstood the idea of escaping from boredom. I thought, "I never get bored! There's so much to do and contemplate!" I didn't realize that boredom referred to "
stagnation", and stagnation is something I greatly fear. Being deprived, restricted, disabled, limited, stuck, constrained from pursuing my passions, is torture. Freedom is my desire, freedom from worry, obligation, negativity, and most of all, fear. I want to see all there is to see, try all there is to try. That's the best way to truly know something.
I have "too many" interests, but I don't think it's too many at all. I'd rather be well-versed in many things than expert in few. I'm scared to get too much into one thing, as my whole mind-frame and world-view will be affected by it. I'm decent at piano, violin, flute, percussion, bass guitar, and DJ-ing. I'm "fluent" in sports such as figure skating, skiing, and rollerblading. I'm interested in just about any abstract topic there is. My university education covers areas of chemistry, physics, computer science, and mathematics. I've been on work terms in many different locations, including the Swiss Alps. I ultimately want to
live in as many places as I can, to really experience the culture and surroundings.
Ironically, I do fit the happy-go-lucky hyperactive enthusiast image. However, there is
so much more to it, and I feel that this applies to all Sevens, whether or not they show any enthusiasm at all. I do not understand why people associate it with being superficial, fake, or lacking depth. It's a huge insult to see that erroneous judgment be made. It's not about how happy we actually are, or how great our lives are. We have struggles just like everybody else, but we look forward. We have faith that things will work out, and we don't dwell because dwelling is unnecessary pain. People are complex and dynamic. Sevens are one of the most versatile types of the Enneagram. Our vast experience and breadth brings about a wisdom about the world, a view of the big picture. As
head types, we seek to
understand, like Fives and Sixes. We seek it through involvement and variety.
I don't attribute my happiness and love of life to being a Seven. That's my own personal experience. I was depressed from the ages of 11 to 17, suffered anxiety, phobias, severe anger problems, and family problems. I was strongly attracted to dark things, to the mysterious, the melancholic, and the bizarre. Those things are a part of life, and as long as I maintain a certain distance from fear and negativity, I can enjoy them. I have grown tremendously since that time, gaining strength and the ability to maintain positivity. I don't think that's type-related, I think mental health, spiritual growth, and personal development are entirely up to the individual. An unhealthy Seven might
appear as content as a healthy Seven, but they will most likely be involved in escapism.
I never thought I would say it, but 748 is an amazing fit. I've considered at least a dozen other tritypes, and nothing felt quite right. I've read every one of the archetype descriptions, and 478 describes me freakishly well.
I stand out and always have. I am bold, self-confident, playful, and excited about everything. I want to remain youthful forever, while developing maturity and wisdom. I'm stubborn and I
do my own thing. I can't count the number of times I've gotten in trouble, sometimes by accident because I didn't think I was doing anything wrong. I'm extremely stubborn and I don't back down. I learn things the hard way, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm reactive, but after a relatively short outburst, I try and make light of the situation. My 8 side shows no weakness, and my 4 side wants authenticity. More than anything, I want to be truthful and share with the world. I like the "Messenger" archetype, I like the idea of being a master of both inner and outer worlds. Despite being a "Thinker", I want to be an
inspiration. I want to spread knowledge and wisdom to the world, without being judged. I want to lead by example, not by force. I want to be seen, noticed, heard, without being obnoxious. I want to catalyze change, without worrying about logistics or tedious tasks. I want everyone to experience freedom and to learn to be as open-minded as possible.
Being an NTJ 7 is a little different. The 8 certainly enforces the Te, and the 4 enforces Ni and Fi. Together, the tritype feels complete. There are definite "conflicting" dynamics among the three types, and I think that just makes for an interesting and complex individual. My interests include anything from meditation and yoga, to exploring, to raving. Everything I do has
purpose and meaning. I don't think it's fair for people to assume that "having fun" means you are meaninglessly wasting time. Every experience I have, I learn something valuable. Everything "fun" is meaningful and has it's useful place in the experiment of life.
Damn, see what I did there? Everything I've said so far is positive and self-absorbed. I just have a natural tendency to gloss over the negatives =P It's funny how I realized this in my Type Me thread.
There is just so much more I could say. Though I feel like this is more than enough for one post. Heheh ^__^ I leave with a Type 7 description that I actually found decent:
Sevens - the enneagram ...info from the underground
Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison manifest the inventive side of the type Seven personality and many inventors have, in fact, been Sevens.
Famous artists include Paul Gauguin, Salvador Dali and Francis Bacon. The art of Sevens tends to be vibrant and expansive - glittering surfaces with intimated depths.