Enneagram 4 – Average Health Level

Where Are You Right Now Enneagram 4?

You’re tuned into your emotions and individuality, but you may feel stuck in comparison or longing for something that feels missing. You might find yourself focusing on what’s lacking in your life, leading to moments of frustration or isolation. This is an opportunity to ground yourself in the present and appreciate what’s already within reach. Gratitude and self-expression can help restore balance.

How This Shows Up: Signs You’re Here

In daily life, you might spend time dwelling on what’s missing—whether it’s an ideal relationship, a dream job, or a version of yourself that feels “complete.” You could find yourself withdrawing from others, feeling misunderstood or overly focused on expressing your uniqueness. At work or home, you might get stuck in comparison, thinking others have what you lack, which can make everyday tasks feel less fulfilling.

I dramatize, romanticize, am temperamental, self-absorbed

How This Feels: Emotional Indicators

You may feel a mix of longing and dissatisfaction, as though something essential is missing. You might experience waves of envy or sadness when comparing yourself to others, leaving you questioning your uniqueness or worth. There’s often an undercurrent of emotional intensity, accompanied by a sense of being misunderstood or disconnected, which can deepen feelings of isolation or melancholy.

WHAT’S FUELING THIS:

Common Triggers or Mindsets

A belief that something essential is missing in your life or within yourself.
Comparing your experiences or uniqueness to others, leading to feelings of envy or inadequacy.
Dwelling on the past or idealizing what could be, which keeps you from fully engaging with the present.

FINDING YOUR BALANCE

Ground yourself by practicing gratitude for what you have right now, rather than focusing on what feels missing.
Engage in a creative activity purely for self-expression, without worrying about how it will be received.
Spend time connecting with others, reminding yourself that you’re not alone in your experiences or emotions.

Remember: This Is Temporary

Being in the average state is part of the natural rhythm of growth. While it might feel frustrating or heavy right now, remember this is just a moment in time—not your destination. You have the tools and awareness to shift toward balance and ease. Be patient with yourself, and trust that small, intentional actions can guide you back to the clarity and alignment you’re capable of achieving.

Celebrate Your Growth:

Even in an average state, you’re showing up and doing the work—and that’s worth celebrating. Recognizing where you are is a huge step toward growth, and it takes courage to pause and reflect. Every effort you make to understand yourself, even on challenging days, is a sign of progress. Growth is a journey, not a destination, so take a moment to honor how far you’ve already come.

New to the Enneagram Levels of Development? Start Here!

LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENT

Each type is divided into 9 levels of Psychological Health, 1= highest & 9=lowest. These are grouped into Healthy, Average & Unhealthy. At each level, we employ different strategies to reinforce our identity

Core Traits of Enneagram 4 at each Level

HEALTHY

1

Inspired, creative, self-aware, transformative, expressive.

2

Sensitive, introspective, artistic, emotional, empathetic.

3

Authentic, unique, romantic, refined, vulnerable.

AVERAGE

4

Melancholic, self-absorbed, dramatic, moody, alienated.

5

Self-indulgent, withdrawn, temperamental, dismissive, self-pitying.

6

Self-centered, envious, brooding, disdainful, hypersensitive.

UNHEALTHY

7

Despairing, self-loathing, self-destructive, bitter, delusional.

8

Depressive, unstable, volatile, alienating, grandiose.

9

Suicidal, hopeless, nihilistic, destructive, disconnected.

Enneagram Levels of Development: Healthy, Average, and Unhealthy

HEALTHY RANGE:
In the healthy range, you’re not overly tied to your self-image or identity. You feel free to explore and express yourself in authentic and dynamic ways. By letting go of rigid definitions of who you are, you naturally align with your values and act in ways that reflect your true self, effortlessly reinforcing your sense of purpose and wholeness.

Level 1 – Liberation (Ego transcended-balance and freedom)
Level 2 – Psychological Capacity (Ego is identified as an ideal-self)
Level 3 – Social Value (Ego operating in a constructive way)

AVERAGE RANGE:
In this range, some imbalance starts to show, and your focus narrows. You may become more preoccupied with your identity and how others perceive you. To maintain this image, you might rely on social roles, subtle manipulation, or trying to control situations, all in an effort to reinforce your sense of self.

Level 4 – Imbalance (Ego-role assumed, defences increased)
Level 5 – Interpersonal Control (Manipulative & Defended)
Level 6 – Overcompensation (Ego inflation, conflicts with others)

UNHEALTHY RANGE:
In the unhealthy range, your focus on your identity becomes so intense that it distorts your perception of reality. You may see yourself in a way that feels completely disconnected from how others experience you, creating a sense of isolation or misunderstanding.

Level 7 – Violation (Survival tactic, neurotic)
Level 8 – Delusion and Compulsion (Major personality disorder)
Level 9 – Pathological Destructiveness (Psychosis, breakdown).

AVERAGE RANGE

AND ITS LEVELS

4. Level of Imbalance / Fixation: IMAGINATIVE AESTHETE

At this level, Type 4s become deeply absorbed in their emotions, using fantasy, beauty, and nostalgia to heighten their experiences. They craft an idealized world—romanticizing the past, dramatizing feelings, and surrounding themselves with aesthetic details that reflect their inner mood. Seeking to preserve a sense of uniqueness, they withdraw into imagination, setting high expectations that reality often fails to meet, leaving them longing for something just out of reach.

5. Level of InterPersonal Control: SELF-ABSORBED ROMANTIC

At this level, Type 4s become deeply preoccupied with their emotions, insisting on being seen as uniquely sensitive and complex. They withdraw to protect their self-image, growing moody, self-conscious, and hypersensitive. Taking things personally, they expect others to navigate their shifting emotions with extreme care. Envy surfaces when they feel misunderstood or see others thriving, reinforcing their sense of being separate, different, and somehow missing what others seem to have.

6. Level of Over-Compensation: SELF-INDULGENT´EXCEPTION´

At this level, Type 4s retreat further into their fantasy world, seeing themselves as fundamentally different from others. Feeling misunderstood and above the "ordinary," they become self-indulgent and impractical, lost in melancholic dreaming. Envy and self-pity turn into disdain, treating others as if they lack depth or significance. Believing their uniqueness exempts them from societal norms, they justify their inaction while resenting those who seem more grounded or successful.

Welcome To Your Enneagram Mood Check-In ✨