As you may already know, personality tests can provide us with detailed insight into who we are. This information relates to how we behave, think, and experience the world. If you’ve followed along with our Enneagram personality test journey, you may have already seen the breakdowns for the enneagram 1, enneagrhttps://youtu.be/iC-m4VWtajEam 2, and enneagram 3. While some of you may have been able to relate, others may not have as much luck. Therefore, today we will be going over the enneagram 4, also known as the individualist.
To learn more about the enneagram 4 personality, keep reading!
Overview of the Enneagram 4
As an individualist, the enneagram type 4 personality is described as creative, unique, and sensitive. They enjoy being expressive with their emotions and go out of their way to stand out in a crowd. Additionally, an enneagram 4 is someone who:
- Enjoys being artistic
- They can be quiet and distant when a big group surrounds them
- Strive to make a positive and lasting impression on the world
- Are quirky and easy to get along with
- May experience feelings of emptiness
- Sensitive in their emotions and towards others
- Have a strong sense of compassion for others in the world
- Can struggle with feelings of insignificance if they are not recognized for their individuality
As you can see, enneagram type 4 individuals strive to be unique and express themselves but can also be insecure.
Strengths
Like all enneagram personalities, the enneagram type 4 has many strengths when living a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Some of these strengths include:
- The ability to understand and connect with their emotions
- Extremely imaginative and creative
- Sensitive towards other people’s feelings
- The ability to understand other people’s perspectives
- Able to express themselves and be authentic to who they are without worrying about what other people think of them
- They can form genuine connections with other people
- Are very attentive and cheerful when at work
- They are honest with how they are feeling and able to work through their emotions
Weaknesses
On the other hand, when an enneagram 4 personality is not living in harmony with themselves, they can also experience many weaknesses. These weaknesses include:
- Dissociating when they become stressed and overwhelmed in their life
- Having strong emotional reactions to adversity and hardships they may face
- They focus on their self-image and can be self-absorbed
- Can fixate on aspects of their life where they are lacking
- Be socially awkward and self-conscious when they are around groups of people they do not know or feel inferior in
- Tend to focus on the past and hold onto negative emotions
- Struggle emotionally when they believe others are not able to understand who they are
Therefore, when enneagram type 4 personalities hold many strengths, they can fall victim to their weaknesses. When this occurs, they can leave negative impressions on others.
Healthy Type 4 vs. Unhealthy Type 4
As mentioned above, when enneagram 4 personalities have a balanced routine, they do not have a problem expressing themselves. When they can do so quickly, nothing is stopping them from succeeding. However, when they are not in harmony with their emotions, they can exhibit unhealthy tendencies. Let’s take a look at the differences between a healthy and unhealthy enneagram 4.
Healthy Enneagram 4
- The ability to create groundbreaking pieces of art
- They use their creations to make positive impacts in the community
- Able to think outside the box and be open to new perspectives
- Are self-aware and inspired throughout their day
- Remain true to themselves without worrying about what others think
- Are gentle, funny, and compassionate
- Able to leave positive impressions on others
- Can form meaningful relationships and connections to other people with ease
Unhealthy Enneagram 4
- They allow their thoughts to torment them
- Become ashamed of who they are
- They push people away even if they are trying to help them
- Engage in self-destructive behaviours
- Experience feelings of hopelessness
- Unable to express themselves correctly
- Can experience emotional distress
The Enneagram 4 in Relationships
Moreover, enneagram 4’s thrive in relationships when their partner can connect with them more profoundly. They tend to express themselves romantically and are not afraid to speak about how they are feeling. These individuals will focus on their relationships and will recognize how they need to grow. However, they may experience difficulties regulating their emotions. Therefore, they will disconnect themselves emotionally during arguments. Additionally, they may also find it hard to maintain expectations their partners have. Nonetheless, they are energetic, passionate, and genuine when they are with the right individual.
Best Careers for Type 4’s
As enneagram 4 personalities enjoy expressing themselves through art forms, they thrive in careers that allow them to be creative. Therefore, some of the best jobs for these types of individuals include:
- Actor
- Film Director
- Musician
- Music Teacher
- Personal Trainer
- Hair Stylist
- Designer
- Photographer
- Writer
- Artist
- Jewelry Maker
- Dance Instructor
- Tattoo Artist
- Yoga Instructor
- Masseuse
As you can see, each career listed above is centred around the many mediums of art that are widely used by creatives to be their person and make money. These careers also allow enneagram type 4’s to form genuine connections with people. A healthy habit that many of these people value in their life.
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Famous Type 4’s
Furthermore, as enneagram 4 individuals thrive in creative spaces, many have had successful careers and international fame. Here is a list of some famous enneagram type 4’s that you may recognize:
- Harry Styles
- Bob Dylan
- Prince
- Rihanna
- Stevie Nicks
- Billie Eilish
- Amy Winehouse
- Kat Von D
- Johnny Depp
- Anne Frank
- Edgar Allen Poe
- Frida Kahlo
- Yukio Mishima
- Paul Simon
- Cher
- Billie Holiday
- Nicholas Cage
As you can see, the individuals on this list include artists, writers, actors, musicians, and more. Thus, not only have they made strides in their industry, but they have also made positive impacts on the lives of their fans and followers.