Are you an INFJ struggling to stay present in the moment?
Do you find yourself constantly lost in your own thoughts, dreaming of the future or reflecting on the past?
If so, you’re not alone. As an INFJ, your inferior function is Extraverted Sensing (Se), which can make it challenging to connect with the physical world around you.
But fear not, there are ways to develop and strengthen your Se function. In this article, we’ll explore practical tips and techniques to help you become more grounded, flexible, and present in your daily life.
So, take a deep breath, let go of your worries, and let’s dive into the world of Se development for INFJs.
How To Develop Se INFJ
1. Practice Mindfulness
One of the most effective ways to develop your Se function is through mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, without judgment or distraction. It can help you become more aware of your surroundings, your body, and your senses.
Start by setting aside a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness. Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed and focus on your breath. Pay attention to the sensations in your body, the sounds around you, and the feelings in your mind. With practice, you’ll become more attuned to the present moment and less caught up in your thoughts.
2. Engage in Physical Activities
Another way to develop your Se function is through physical activities. Engaging in activities that require you to be present in the moment can help you become more grounded and connected to your body.
Try activities like yoga, dance, or martial arts. These activities require you to focus on your movements, your breath, and your surroundings. They can help you become more aware of your body and your senses.
3. Take Time to Appreciate Your Surroundings
As an INFJ, you may be prone to getting lost in your thoughts and forgetting about the world around you. To develop your Se function, take time to appreciate your surroundings.
Take a walk in nature and pay attention to the sights, sounds, and smells around you. Visit a new city or town and explore its streets and buildings. Take time to notice the details of your environment and appreciate the beauty of the world around you.
4. Try New Things
To develop your Se function, it’s important to step outside of your comfort zone and try new things. This can help you become more flexible and adaptable in different situations.
Try new foods, travel to new places, or take up a new hobby. These experiences can help you become more open-minded and less attached to routine and predictability.
5. Practice Self-Care
Finally, practicing self-care can help you develop your Se function. When you take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally, you become more attuned to your body and your senses.
Take time each day to do something that makes you feel good. This could be taking a relaxing bath, practicing yoga, or reading a book. By prioritizing self-care, you’ll become more connected to yourself and more present in the moment.
Understanding Se In INFJs
Se, or Extraverted Sensing, is the inferior function of INFJs. It refers to the way in which INFJs interact with the physical world around them in the present moment. However, because INFJs often get caught up in their inner world, they tend to focus on the future or reflect on the past instead of being in the present.
When INFJs are under stress, they tend to give in to their Se function through activities like fidgeting, watching television, shopping for high-quality products, and indulging in their favorite foods. However, when they are not stressed, their Se function presents different sets of struggles.
To develop their Se function, INFJs can practice mindfulness, engage in physical activities like yoga or martial arts, take time to appreciate their surroundings, try new things outside of their comfort zone, and practice self-care. By doing so, INFJs can become more present in the moment and less caught up in their thoughts about the future or past.
The Importance Of Developing Se
Developing your Se function as an INFJ is crucial for achieving balance in your life. It allows you to be more present and aware of your surroundings, which can help you make better decisions and navigate the world more effectively. By developing your Se, you can become more grounded and less caught up in your thoughts and emotions.
Practicing mindfulness, engaging in physical activities, taking time to appreciate your surroundings, trying new things, and practicing self-care are all important steps in developing your Se function. These practices can help you become more attuned to the present moment and less focused on the past or future. They can also help you become more flexible and adaptable in different situations.
Developing your Se function can also help you become more open-minded and less attached to routine and predictability. By stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying new things, you can expand your horizons and gain new perspectives on the world around you.
Mindfulness Techniques For INFJs
Mindfulness can be particularly helpful for INFJs who tend to get lost in their thoughts and emotions. Here are some mindfulness techniques specifically for INFJs:
1. Mental Description
Try to be mindful of everything that is happening and around you in the present moment and mentally describe it without applying judgments. For example, don’t think the sky is “pretty”, simply think that it is “blue” or whatever color at that moment. This practice can help you become more aware of your surroundings and less caught up in your thoughts and emotions.
2. Body Scan
Take a few minutes each day to do a body scan. Start at the top of your head and work your way down to your toes, noticing any sensations or tension in each part of your body. This practice can help you become more aware of your body and more connected to the present moment.
3. Sensory Focus
Choose one of your senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell) and focus on it for a few minutes. Notice everything you can about that sense, without judgment or distraction. For example, if you choose sound, focus on all the different sounds around you and how they make you feel. This practice can help you become more aware of your senses and more present in the moment.
4. Gratitude Practice
Take a few minutes each day to list three things you are grateful for. This practice can help you become more aware of the good things in your life and more connected to the present moment.
5. Mindful Breathing
Take a few minutes each day to focus on your breath. Notice the sensation of air moving in and out of your body, without judgment or distraction. This practice can help you become more aware of your body and more connected to the present moment.
By practicing these mindfulness techniques regularly, INFJs can develop their Se function and become more grounded, present, and connected to the world around them.
Incorporating Physical Activities Into Your Routine
Incorporating physical activities into your routine is a great way to develop your Se function as an INFJ. As mentioned above, physical activities can help you become more grounded and connected to your body. Here are some practical tips for incorporating physical activities into your routine:
1. Find an activity that you enjoy
As an INFJ, you may not enjoy set routines and may prefer to build movement into your day-to-day life. Therefore, it’s important to find an activity that you enjoy and that fits your mood. Sometimes, you may want to take a walk in nature, while other times, you may want to take a kickboxing class with friends and let off steam.
2. Try Pilates
Pilates is an excellent workout for INFJs. It helps enhance your already flexible qualities while strengthening you both physically and mentally. Pilates can help ground your core and improve your overall posture.
3. Go for walks
Walking is an excellent exercise for INTJs as it doesn’t feel like work and helps them process their day. Evening walks after work can really do the trick for INTJs as it helps them synthesize all the information they absorbed during their workday.
4. Engage in activities that involve your senses
Physical activities involve a flow that one should achieve with the environment for maximum performance. Try martial arts or other sports where one needs to be aware of distances. These types of activities can help INFJs become more aware of their surroundings and develop their Se function.
5. Make time for exercise
It’s important to make time for exercise in your daily routine. Working out is good for both physical and mental health, and it helps reduce stress. You don’t have to become a gym rat; any physical activity that gets your heart pumping will work just fine.
Incorporating physical activities into your routine can be a great way to develop your Se function as an INFJ. By finding an activity that you enjoy, trying Pilates, going for walks, engaging in activities that involve your senses, and making time for exercise, you can become more grounded and connected to your body.
Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential for developing your Se function as an INFJ. It can be challenging, but it’s important to push yourself to try new things and take risks.
One way to step out of your comfort zone is to set small goals for yourself. Start with something that makes you slightly uncomfortable, like striking up a conversation with a stranger or trying a new food. As you become more comfortable with these small steps, gradually increase the level of discomfort.
Another way to step out of your comfort zone is to challenge your limiting beliefs. Identify any beliefs that may be holding you back and try to challenge them. For example, if you believe that you’re not good at public speaking, sign up for a public speaking class and practice until you feel more confident.
It’s also important to surround yourself with supportive people who encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone. Seek out friends and family members who push you to try new things and support you in your efforts.
Remember, stepping out of your comfort zone is a process, and it takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and celebrate each small victory along the way. With persistence and dedication, you can develop your Se function and become more present in the moment.
Seeking New Experiences And Sensory Stimulation
As an INFJ, developing your Se function can be challenging, especially when you’re used to living in your head. Seeking new experiences and sensory stimulation is a great way to develop this function and become more present in the moment.
One way to seek new experiences is by traveling to new places. Whether it’s a new city or a new country, traveling can help you become more aware of your surroundings and your senses. You can try new foods, explore different cultures, and take in the sights and sounds of a new environment.
Another way to seek sensory stimulation is by trying new physical activities. Engaging in activities like rock climbing, surfing, or snowboarding can help you become more aware of your body and your senses. These activities require you to focus on the present moment and be fully engaged in the experience.
You can also seek sensory stimulation by trying new foods. INFJs tend to have a strong connection to food, so trying new flavors and textures can be a great way to develop your Se function. Visit a new restaurant or try cooking a new recipe at home.
Finally, practicing mindfulness during everyday activities can help you become more present in the moment and develop your Se function. Pay attention to the sensations in your body while you’re doing everyday tasks like washing dishes or taking a shower. Focus on the smells, sounds, and textures around you.
Overall, seeking new experiences and sensory stimulation can be a great way for INFJs to develop their Se function and become more present in the moment. By stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying new things, you’ll become more adaptable and flexible in different situations.