The Enneagram Type 4 wings balance out the nature of The Individualist to a degree. They fall on either the 3 or the 5 wing. If you are the Enneagram Type 4 with a 3 wing, then you are known as The Enthusiast. If you have the 5 wing, then you are known as The Free Spirit. Let’s go over the characteristics of both wings for The Individualist.
Type 4w3 The Enthusiast
If you are The Enthusiast (not to get that name confused with Type 7), you are going to share many traits of The Individualist but you also have some of the traits of The Achiever. You are highly creative and full of energy. You are also extremely productive, driven, and motivated and you are a lot more sociable than the other Type 4s. You also have a desire to be expressive and unique, and you most definitely want to make a lasting impression on the world.
The Enthusiast does have a desire to be unique. But at the same time, you would also tend to have more of a desire to fit in than other Type 4s. That is because like Type 3s you are concerned about image. And you also want to seek approval from others. Other Type 4s are not too concerned about that part. Certainly not when it comes to the other wing, which is the 5 wing.
Type 4w5 The Free Spirit
If you are The Free Spirit, you will have most traits of The Individualist, but you will also have some traits of Type 5, The Observer as well. You are extremely creative and you enjoy learning and have a strong intellectual side. You really want to get to the bottom of any mystery and you research things for the sake of having a desire to understand anything.
You also are seeking your identity and you also want to make a lasting impact on the world. However, unlike the wing 3, you are also not overly concerned about self-image and seeking approval from others. There is also the fear of not having enough knowledge or having any significance.
On a positive note, The Free Spirit is extremely creative and are great problem-solvers. You are also extremely curious, and you know how to connect deeply within yourself. But there is the struggle of withdrawing when things get difficult, and there is the struggle of focusing on real-world issues. Self-absorption is an issue and more of an issue for The Free Spirit than The Enthusiast. And following the rules and orders is also a challenge.
That is how The Individualist behaves, which depends on the wing that is dominant.