Type 4s are unique and emotionally honest. They are the ones who always stay true to themselves, because they don’t know how to be any other way. They are sensitive, self-aware, and often very creative. They desire to be seen and understood, but when they feel misunderstood, they will close off and feel something is wrong with them.
At their best, type 4s are highly creative, able to use their experiences to transform themselves or their artistic endeavors into something new and beautiful. But at their worst, they are full of melancholy and self-pity, feeling completely defective and misunderstood.
Sensitive, Introspective, Self-Absorbed, Tempermental
Key Desire: To be unique, special, and authentic
Key Fear: Not having an identity and being adequate
Key Longing: You are seen and loved for being uniquely you
Strengths:
- Self-aware
- Imaginative
- Expressive
- Highly Intuitive
- Creative
- Tenderhearted
- True to themselves
Challenges:
- Highly sensitive
- Self-absorbed
- Temperamental
- Irrational
- Self-hating
- Envious
- Dramatic
Type 4 Wings
Each type is influenced by its nearest “wing.” We usually lean on one wing more than the other. These wings give more intricacy to who we are.
4w3 “The Aristocrat”
If you lean more on your 3 wing, then you are more energetic and driven. You want to make an impact on the world, but also stay true to yourself. You also want to make your dreams and creative goals a reality. However, you’re also more image-conscious and constantly trying to prove your worth.
- Vivacious
- Task-oriented
- Overly positive
- Personable
- Tactful
- Uplifting
- Tuned in to others
4w5 “The Bohemian”
If you lean more on your 5 wing, you’re more reserved and introspective. You want to deeply understand the world and make an impact on it. You spend more time with your thoughts and have profound insight. However, you’re more withdrawn, focus too much on yourself, and struggle with taking action.
- Imaginative
- Dynamic
- Introspective
- Pretentious
- Gracefully effective
- Self-doubting
- Creatively expressive
Growth & Stress
Every Enneagram has stress and growth paths. These are the directions we go toward as we grow or become more secure, and when we’re stressed and disintegrating.
Security
Move toward healthy 1s
- Action-oriented
- Levelheaded
- Realistic
Stress
Move toward unhealthy 2s
- Hypochrondriac
- Overbearing
- Manipulative
Levels of Development
Healthy Levels
Level 1:
At their best, type 4s are profoundly creative, possibly creating profound works of art. They are inspired and able to transform their experiences into something valuable.
Level 2:
They are self-aware, introspective, and searching for who they’re meant to be. They are sensitive and intuitive both to themselves and others. Gentle, tactful, compassionate.
Level 3:
They are true to themselves. Emotionally honest and humane. They are able to truly reveal themselves to others. They can be serious and funny, vulnerable and emotionally strong.
Average Levels
Level 4:
They have an artistic and romantic view of life, creating a beautiful, environment to cultivate how they feel inside. They heighten reality through fantasy, passionate feelings, and the imagination.
Level 5:
They take everything personally and become self-absorbed, introverted, moody, and hypersensitive. They cannot be spontaneous or “get out of themselves.” They withdraw to protect their self-image and sort out their feelings.
Level 6:
They think they are different from others and don’t have to live like others do. They become melancholy dreamers, disrespectful, and self-indulgent living in a fantasy world. They are full of self-pity and envy of others.
Unhealthy Levels
Level 7:
When their dreams fail, they can’t move forward and become angry at themselves, depressed, and alienated. They are blocked and emotionally paralyzed. Ashamed of themselves, fatigued, and unable to function.
Level 8:
Tormented by delusional self-contempt, self-reproaches, self-hatred, and morbid thoughts. Everything is a source of torment. Blaming others, they drive away anyone who tries to help them.
Level 9:
They despair, feel hopeless and become self-destructive. They possibly abuse alcohol or drugs to escape. In the extreme: emotional breakdown or suicide is likely.
Posts About Type 4
Lonely, Different, and Misunderstood: A Breakdown of Sadness from Inside Out
Sometimes you can go through life feeling different and like no one understands you. This is completely relatable, and is also a very common experience for Type 4s. Learn how you can learn to value your place in the world.
The Human Connection 