The Individualist

Enneagram Type 4
The Individualist – Enneagram Type 4 Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Enneagram Type 4: “The Individualist” Personality Type Analysis 3

Enneagram Personality Type 4 Overview 3

Enneagram Type 4 Core Values 4

What Motivates Enneagram Type 4? 4

How to Recognize Enneagram Type 4 5

Enneagram Type 4 Compatibility 5

Enneagram Type 4 Worst Matches 6

Enneagram Type 4 Wings 7

Enneagram Type 4 Strengths & Weaknesses 8

Enneagram Type 4 Fears & Desires 9

How Does an Enneagram Type 4 Act Under Stress? 10

Enneagram Type 4 as Parents 10

How Does an Enneagram Type 4 Behave in Romantic Relationships? 11

Enneagram Type 4 as Friends 11

Enneagram Type 4 at Work 11

Enneagram Type 4 Careers Matches 12

Development Levels of Enneagram Type 4 13

Enneagram Type 4 Growth Tips 14

Enneagram Type 4 Famous People 14

Key Takeaways 15

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The Individualist – Enneagram Type 4 Enneagram Personality Type 4 Overview

Enneagram Type 4:

“The Individualist”
Personality Type Analysis
Is Enneagram 4 really so different from all other Enneagram types, or do they just
want to be perceived as such? One thing is for sure—Fours will never conform to
common, socially desirable standards at the cost of their authenticity.

This peculiar Enneagram type invites us to explore and cherish our differences. So,
just by learning more about Fours, you’ll inevitably discover some interesting things
about yourself, even if you don’t belong to this personality type yourself.

Enneagram Personality Type 4 Overview

Fours have delicate and complex personalities. Their identity is closely tied to their
feelings. Since feelings are very prone to change, Fours often struggle to
understand who they really are. Therefore, they focus on differences, as
differences are a replacement for healthy boundaries between other people and
them.

Though they seem distant and detached, Enneagram 4 just needs space to discover
who they are before they are ready to connect with others. They often feel they are
inherently different from others, both in a positive and negative way. For
example, they may believe they are geniuses in one area while also believing they
are ultimately flawed in another.

W hen balanced, Fours are exceptionally creative and find a way to communicate
that their needs are different through their creations and work. They explore their
inner world, work through their emotions, and transform their experiences into
something everyone can relate to. It is safe to say they are the archetype of an
artist who touches the collective through deeply personal expression.

For all these and many other reasons, Fours usually go through many
transformations in life. They often see their lives as a quest for self-discovery.
However, while on this quest, they are often more interested in their past than

their future. As they mature, they learn to make space for new connections,
experiences, and feelings instead of holding on to the past.

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The Individualist – Enneagram Type 4 Enneagram Type 4 Core Values

Enneagram Type 4 Core Values

Each Enneagram type develops its own value system, which more or less obviously
influences every aspect of their lives. In the case of Fours, these values are:

Uniqueness. Fours are on an everlasting quest to express their authenticity

True meaning. These people believe there is a deeper meaning to everything
that happens and spend their lifetimes trying to figure out how everything fits
together
Soul-searching. Fours are very aware of the fact that the heart wants what it
wants, and they are not afraid of listening to it
Soul mates. Deeply romantic and idealistic, Fours believe in the concept of true
love
Self-expression. For Individualists, life is not worth living unless they can find
their own unique expression.

What Motivates Enneagram Type 4?

Fours have a deep inner feeling that there is more to life than earning social
recognition and satisfying other people’s expectations. They are interested in
discovering the meaning of life—not in a scientific manner like Fives, but rather in a
manner that is more philosophical and artistic. Therefore, they draw inspiration
from all forms of artistic and creative expression.

Developing meaningful connections with other people is yet another significant

source of motivation for people with this personality type. Being seen, heard, and
understood for who they truly are makes them feel thrilled with life. Despite the
fact they often come across as self-absorbed and egocentric, they actually crave
deep and close relationships with others.

All in all, we can say that the most stable source of motivation for this type is feeling
accepted, loved, and appreciated for who they really are.

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The Individualist – Enneagram Type 4 How to Recognize Enneagram Type 4

How to Recognize Enneagram Type 4

Enneagram Type 4 is not hard to recognize simply because
they already want to stand out from the crowd. This
means they will often literally stand out from a group of
their friends in order to accentuate that they are unique
and special. And if it is not possible for them to stand out
for their attractiveness, they will surely dress in an original,
eccentric manner or at least have one eccentric detail.

Fours are the type that turns heads on the street. They like to make a statement
with the clothes they wear by donning garish colors, unusual outfits, flashy details,
and unique hairstyles. In general, they use clothing as a form of self-expression.

When you talk with them, you’ll notice they tend to speak in a very expressive
manner, like to share how they feel about something and frequently exaggerate a
bit in order to draw attention to their one-of-a-kind attitude.

heart

5 4

Enneagram Type 4 Compatibility

The Fours’ usual arrogant and aloof image hides a deep need for connection. They
believe they are so different from others that there is no one in the world who could
really understand, let alone love them. But, when they meet someone with whom
they can share their interests or who can support them unconditionally, they slowly
open up.

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The Individualist – Enneagram Type 4 Enneagram Type 4 Compatibility

Speaking of this, here’s a brief overview of Enneagram 4 compatibility with their best
matches.

Type 4 With Type 5

Though Fours are made of emotions and Fives are made of intellect, both types are
introverted, introspected, and like exploring their depths. These two respect each
other and provide exactly what the other lacks the most.

Fours learn to employ their logic and put their emotions aside with Fives, while
Fives learn to see the world through an emotional prism, too. As they become closer,
they develop their own unique and mutual love language, their own jokes, and their
views of the world.

Type 4 With Type 9

Fours and Nines don’t need words to understand each other—their attraction is
instant. This is a couple that will share many interests, but what really makes their
relationship strong is that they answer each other's deepest needs.

The Nines' acceptance, love, and lack of judgment calm Four's fears of not
being good enough. So, in other words, they seem to be the saviors Fours have
always hoped for. Moreover, Nines themselves enjoy being there for Fours through
all their emotional turmoil.

Enneagram Type 4 Worst Matches

Even though every type combination in Enneagram may work out great in theory if
both partners are mature enough, there are still some matches that often require
more effort to work. For Type 4, those would be the combinations with Types 1 and
8.

Type 4 With Type 1

Type One is highly idealistic and works hard to control their emotions. They often
see feelings as something that stands in their way. For that reason, Fours may feel
inadequate in their company since their whole identity is centered around their
feelings.

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The Individualist – Enneagram Type 4 Enneagram Type 4 Worst Matches

Type 4 With Type 8

Both Fours and Eights have intense personalities but in an entirely different manner.
Even though the sophistication and creativity of Fours frequently fascinate Eights,
these two rarely get along. This is primarily due to the fact that Fours crave
gentleness and warmth, whereas Eights are anything but the touchy-feely type of
person.

Enneagram Type 4 Wings

Wings represent the influence of one of the two types that surround your core
Enneagram type. Enneagram 4 can have either a Three or a Five wing, which means
that Type Four can have many characteristics of Type Two or Type Five.

4w5
In 4w5s, the imagination of a Four meets the rational intellect of a Five, resulting in
a highly creative and productive personality. This type is interested in both the
outside world and their own inner depths.

Since both Fives and Fours are introverted, Enneagram 4 wing 5 will be a very
private person. They are the world's researchers, scientists, inventors, and
innovators who constantly present a fresh viewpoint on everything.

4w3
The Three wing makes Enneagram 4 more open, goal-oriented, and practical. For
this reason, Enneagram 4 wing 3 is often an eccentric striving to set their own
unique standards and rules of success. Their ambition is not just to succeed or be
perceived as different but to achieve something remarkable and original.

Emotionally delicate and often talented, they are always noticed in their
surroundings. Despite their dramatic behavior and usually arrogant attitude, they
are just sensitive souls who crave acceptance and recognition.

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The Individualist – Enneagram Type 4 Enneagram Type 4 Strengths & Weaknesses

Enneagram Type 4 Strengths &

Weaknesses
Fours are generally oriented toward personal growth and
development. Many of their strengths come as the result of
their eagerness to learn more about their inner world of
emotions. However, such a strong focus on emotions has
its downsides, too.

Though Enneagram 4 often believes that their hypersensitivity is what makes them
vulnerable, it is actually their exaggerated focus on emotions that is the source of
their weaknesses.

Enneagram Type 4 Strengths

The Four's curiosity and eagerness to explore their inner depths uncover many of
their greatest strengths, including:

Imagination and creativity. At their best, Fours are admirably creative and able
to transform their experiences and emotions into authentic creations
Self-awareness. Thanks to being in contact with their emotions, they are pretty
self-aware
Openness to learn and develop. Fours’ interest in personal growth never
diminishes. They are lifelong travelers on the road to self-discovery
Ability to connect with and transform their emotions. Even at their worst,
Enneagram 4 stays true to themselves and their feelings
Deep empathy. Dealing with their own emotional turbulence teaches them to
understand others, too.

Enneagram Type 4 Weaknesses

Enneagram 4 tends to feel weak and overwhelmed by reality. However, truth be told,
they are no weaker than any other Enneagram type. The good thing about Fours is
that they are usually aware of their weakest points, which are:

Fixation on the past. They tend to idealize the past, not because it was really
great but rather because they are often afraid of the future
Fixation on what they lack. They occasionally become obsessed with their
flaws, which also makes them feel socially inept and less worthy
Tendency to self-isolate. Their need to be different often pushes Fours to
distance themselves from others just to maintain their image
Loss of touch with reality. Focusing on their feelings, they often have difficulty
separating their subjective perception from what actually happened.

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The Individualist – Enneagram Type 4 Enneagram Type 4 Strengths & Weaknesses

Social anxiety. Thanks to their negative self-image, they easily feel threatened in
groups of people, who they project their own harsh judgment on.

Enneagram Type 4 Fears & Desires

Fours' deepest fears and desires reflect the universal human need to be accepted
and loved, despite the eccentric, original, and often unique image they project to
the outside world. Since they are very interested in personal development, their
fears and desires also evolve over time.

They tend to confuse attention with love and achievement with self-worth, so they
grind tirelessly to attain the image and the success that will ensure both for them.
Therefore, both their fears and desires are closely tied to their achievements.

Enneagram Type 4 Fears

Since emotions play a central part in the Four’s life, it is very important for them to
understand their core fears, which are:

Being more flawed than others. Probably because they were too criticized as
kids, Fours often believe their flaws are somehow worse than the flaws of other
people
Never being able to find their true purpose in life. Fours’ lives are often
motivated by their pursuit of meaning and questions about the universal
condition of humankind. This is because they are afraid they may somehow miss
their own lives
Never finding true love. Since they hide their weaknesses and fears well, they
are afraid that no one will ever be able to see through them and understand
them for who they really are.

Enneagram Type 4 Desires

Fours’ desires are intense, and they strive hard to fulfill them. They include:

Creating and transforming their emotional experiences into something

tangible. They want to leave their mark on the world by creating something of
unique value
Being really understood and loved by a special person. Though reserved on
the outside, they crave close, meaningful relationships
Finding out who they really are. Fours feel a strong need to understand
themselves and tie their identity to something stable.

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The Individualist – Enneagram Type 4 Enneagram Type 4 Strengths & Weaknesses

How Does an Enneagram Type 4 Act Under Stress?

Emotionally fragile and delicate, Enneagram 4 is often very prone to stress. While
stress can come from anywhere, it is frequently caused by the mistaken belief
that they are more flawed than others. As a result, Fours enter a self-critical
mode and frequently experience depression because they focus on their own
shortcomings while idealizing the qualities of others.

Lack of emotional intimacy and prolonged loneliness also put a strain on Fours.
In such circumstances, they become clingy, moody, and demanding at one moment
and then completely disappear from all social platforms at another.

Large teams, strict rules, and a negative atmosphere in their surroundings are also
very stressful for Fours. They instinctively pull back and get lost in their inner
worlds when they feel threatened by the outside world. Sometimes, they may
wander off too deep into their heads when that happens.

When stressed, Fours simply need some alone time and peace to process their
feelings. Without it, they feel lost and pressured, and they find it hard to fit in.

Enneagram Type 4 as Parents

Beneath the eccentric surface, there’s an endless sea of tenderness in the
Individualists’ souls. Therefore, Fours make devoted, warm parents who know
how to respect their children's autonomy, even though they may not be
emotionally in check and have it all together like some other Enneatypes.

Fours understand how to love their children unconditionally and take pleasure in
fostering their creative expression. Thanks to this, their offspring develop a sense
of freedom to be who they are and pursue their interests.

These individuals may not have the typical parental discipline, but by accepting and
encouraging their children, they can still bring out the best in them. In addition to
this, they are always willing to learn new things and experiment with different
approaches to child-rearing, such as homeschooling.

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The Individualist – Enneagram Type 4 How Does an Enneagram Type 4 Behave in Romantic Relationships?

How Does an Enneagram Type 4 Behave

in Romantic Relationships?
Though they want to be seen as someone who doesn't
need other people or relationships in general, Fours crave
deep connection and romantic love. They are, actually, the
biggest romantics of the Enneagram, often believing in
concepts like “there’s only one perfect person for
everyone,” “there’s only one true love,” and similar.

What Fours are looking for in relationships is to be understood and appreciated for
who they are without being judged or criticized. They need to connect with
someone through shared views of the world.

Deep, long conversations about the meaning of life, human nature, the logic of
emotions, and similar topics are what this type enjoys the most. The concept of
platonic love was probably created by an Enneagram type 4 personality.

When this type finds that special person, they cherish the relationship, tend to be
very protective and secretive about it, and generally treat it as very special.

Enneagram Type 4 as Friends

The Individualist is the type of friend who can understand your darkest, weirdest
moments without ever making you feel strange in any way. They are not shallow,
ffi
and they never criticize others for the emotional di culties they are e periencing. x
After you have revealed your soul to them, you will also be astounded by the depth
of their insights and the wisdom they will impart to you.

Fours cherish honest friendships and make their friends feel special because they
generally believe meaningful relationships are rare. They inspire people to be more
x
e pressive and creative on the spur of the moment, which is one of the reasons why
their friends adore them.

Enneagram Type 4 at Work

As long as they choose a career they truly love, Fours are frequently very passionate
about their work. They invest emotionally in what they do, so they are naturally
prone to all kinds of creative and artistic professions. For them, work is often a way
to find a purpose in life.

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The Individualist – Enneagram Type 4 How Does an Enneagram Type 4 Behave in Romantic Relationships?

They won’t persist in a job they hate just to pay their bills. These people need to view
their line of work less as a means of subsistence and more as a calling, a mission
in life.

Though they are generally not interested in taking on too much responsibility, they
can be great leaders. This is because they are often avant-garde thinkers who
intuitively anticipate the trends of the time.

Enneagram Type 2 Careers Matches

Enneagram 4 is not interested in managerial positions or
power. In fact, hierarchy, strict rules, corporate politics, and
similar issues are boring and often stressful for them.
Therefore, they will not be particularly happy in a typical
business setting, regardless of whether they are managers
or team members.

Roles that require specific, expert knowledge and allow enough freedom are far
more suitable for Fours. For this reason, they often choose to work as independent
workers, consultants, associates, and freelancers.

Best & Worst Careers

Creativity and imagination are the Fours’ strongest suits, so these people are
naturally drawn to careers that allow them to express these traits. Also, due to their
interest in emotions, they may also be interested in humanistic sciences. Bearing
this in mind, we can say that the best careers for Enneagram 4 are:

Desig
Writin
Movie Productio
Psycholog
Counselin
Andragogy

Because Enneagram 4 believes they are nothing if they don’t stand out, any career
that does not allow them to do so will feel like punishment to them. They need the
freedom to create something unique and feel good about themselves, so the
worst careers for Enneagram 4 would definitely include:

Administratio
Programmin
Mechanical Engineerin
Operations Management

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The Individualist – Enneagram Type 4 Development Levels of Enneagram Type 4

Development Levels of Enneagram Type 4

Every Enneagram type, including Enneagram 4, goes
through different challenges in life, through which they
change, mature, and develop. Still, depending on their
experiences and motivation to grow, all types can function
at different developmental levels.

Healthy Enneagram Type 4

On a healthy level, Enneagram 4 exhibits unique emotional strength. Instead of
being overly sensitive and subjective, they transform their emotional energy into
original creations.

Allowing themselves to be vulnerable, they readily connect with others and let go
of the feeling that they are less worthy. Also, by being positive about their own
differences, they encourage other people to talk about theirs.

Thanks to their emotional stability, their intuitive powers also flourish. At this level,
Fours are capable of unique emotional insights, such as those that have made the
greatest revolutions in psychology, for example.

Average Enneagram Type 4

On an average level, Fours are mainly concerned with finding their identity. They
pay much attention to their image and find it of utter importance to be seen as one
of a kind. Proving their uniqueness equals being worthy of love and acceptance,
so they strive hard to establish themselves as such.

For that purpose, they may experiment with different styles, haircuts, and outfits.
They may also behave in a dramatic, theatrical manner just to make sure they stand
out.

Unhealthy Enneagram Type 5

At an unhealthy level of functioning, Fours like to play the victim and feel sorry for
themselves. They become needy, hyperemotional, and prone to extreme mood
swings. As their attempts to connect with others fail, they withdraw, isolate, and get
locked in their heads.

In extreme cases, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, and

alcoholism become the worst facets of Four 's personality. In some situations, they
may also slip into a substance use disorder.

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The Individualist – Enneagram Type 4 Enneagram Type 4 Growth Tips

Enneagram Type 4 Growth Tips

Fours are one of the Enneagram types with the strongest motivation to grow and
develop. Here are some tips that are essential for Fours to help them overcome
their weaknesses:

Emotions provide us with a very subjective view of the world. Practice seeing
one issue from multiple standpoints just to see how limited we are when we
base our view of the world on how we feel
Write a diary. Following your emotional state from day to day will help you
understand yourself better and also allow you to relieve the emotional excesses
Set up a daily routine and stick to it. Going to bed at the same time, having
regular meals, and doing your chores will provide you with structure. And
structure will make you feel safe and more grounded in reality
When you feel overwhelmed and wish to hide from everyone, be brave and
reach out to someone who is kind to you. We need the kindness of others to
learn to be kind to ourselves
What you focus on will grow. Therefore, instead of focusing on your flaws,
focus on your virtues and allow yourself to grow through what’s best about
you.

Enneagram Type 4 Famous People

It is not rare for Enneagram 4 to rise to fame since they have such a strong need to
distinguish themselves from others. Some of the most well-known Enneagram 4
celebrities are:

Frida Kahlo, Mexican painter, whose tragic destiny didn’t stop her from creating
timeless art pieces
Amy Winehouse, English singer and songwriter, whose originality immediately
captured world wide attention
Billie Eilish, American singer and songwriter, whose talent and unique image
stood out from early on
Bob Dylan, American singer and songwriter and a major pop culture figure
Angelina Jolie, American actress known for her turbulent emotional affairs,
unique life choices, and great roles
Johnny Depp, American actor, praised for his talent but also known for his
turbulent love life
Rumi, Persian poet whose words stood the test of time.

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The Individualist – Enneagram Type 4 Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways
The purpose of this glimpse into the Enneagram 4 personality traits is to help you
understand these individuals and see them for who they really are. After all, that's
exactly what a Four would want from you.

All that we have discovered on this journey can be summarized in the following way:

Fours want to be seen as unique and are often rather creative and imaginative
Emotionally delicate, they crave to learn more about themselves and their ever-
fluctuating feelings
When they overcome their belief that they are more flawed than others, they
develop into empathetic, kind, creative, and productive individuals.

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