Are you someone who often feels like they don’t quite fit in with the rest of the world?
Do you find yourself lost in your own thoughts, constantly analyzing and processing information?
If so, you may be an INFJ personality type.
INFJs are known for their unique insights, empathetic nature, and deep understanding of human potential.
But how do you know for sure if you are an INFJ?
In this article, we’ll explore the key traits and characteristics of this rare personality type, and help you determine if it resonates with who you are.
So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of INFJs.
How Do I Know If I Am INFJ
The first step in determining if you are an INFJ is to take a personality test. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a popular tool used to identify personality types, including INFJ.
The test measures four main areas: Extroversion vs Introversion, Sensing vs Intuition, Thinking vs Feeling, and Judging vs Perceiving. INFJs tend to lean towards Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, and Judging.
If you’ve taken the test and received the INFJ result, congratulations! You are part of a rare and unique group of individuals.
But what if you haven’t taken the test or are unsure of your results? Here are some key traits and characteristics of INFJs that may resonate with you:
1. Highly sensitive nature: INFJs are easily overwhelmed by the real world and find it most recharging to be inside their own heads.
2. Empathetic nature: INFJs want to put people at ease and are naturally reassuring, accepting, and tolerant.
3. Vivid imagination: INFJs often experience striking images, vivid dreams, and strong inner sensations.
4. Stoic temperament: INFJs do not show their feelings to the outer world and may withdraw when upset.
5. Focused on the future: INFJs tend to be highly focused on their internal insights and have a strong intuition about what will happen next.
6. Reserved: INFJs tend to be quiet and have a small circle of close friends.
7. Values close, deep relationships: INFJs place a greater emphasis on personal concerns than objective facts when making decisions.
8. Highly creative and artistic: INFJs have a keen eye for detail and are often drawn to creative pursuits.
If these traits sound familiar to you, there’s a good chance that you may be an INFJ personality type.
What Is An INFJ Personality Type?
INFJ stands for Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging. It is one of the rarest personality types in the Myers-Briggs system, making up less than 1% of the population. INFJs are known for their deep insights, warm empathy, and profound understanding of human potential.
One of the defining characteristics of INFJs is their strong sense of intuition and emotional understanding. They are naturally compassionate and empathetic, which allows them to form meaningful connections with others. However, this does not mean that they are pushovers. INFJs have deeply held beliefs and the ability to act decisively to get what they want.
INFJs are also known for their idealism and ability to translate their dreams into action. They have a strong desire to make the world a better place and are willing to work hard to achieve their goals. INFJs tend to be highly organized and enjoy exerting control by planning, organizing, and making decisions as early as possible.
When it comes to decision-making, INFJs place a greater emphasis on their emotions than objective facts. They understand the world both the good and the bad and hope to be able to make it better.
The Key Traits And Characteristics Of An INFJ
INFJs possess a unique set of traits and characteristics that set them apart from other personality types. Here are some of the key traits and characteristics of an INFJ:
1. Compassionate: INFJs have a strong sense of intuition and emotional understanding, which makes them soft-spoken and empathetic. They care deeply about others and are willing to help in any way they can.
2. Helper: Despite being introverted, INFJs can form strong, meaningful connections with others. They enjoy helping people and making a positive impact in their lives.
3. Idealistic: INFJs have a strong desire to make the world a better place. They are not content with just dreaming about change; they take action to make it happen.
4. Organized: INFJs like to be in control and often plan and organize their lives meticulously. They make decisions early on and prefer to stick to a schedule.
5. Emotional and logical: When making decisions, INFJs rely heavily on their emotions, but they also take objective facts into consideration. They see the world realistically but are driven by their values and beliefs.
6. Deeply reflective: INFJs spend a lot of time reflecting on their thoughts and emotions. They have a rich inner world and are constantly searching for meaning and purpose in their lives.
7. Private: INFJs are selective about who they share their thoughts and feelings with. They tend to keep their innermost thoughts to themselves, which can make them seem mysterious.
8. Creative: INFJs have a natural talent for creative pursuits such as writing, music, or art. They have a keen eye for detail and enjoy exploring new ideas.
Understanding The INFJ’s Empathetic Nature
One of the most prominent traits of an INFJ is their empathetic nature. They have a deep understanding of emotions and can easily pick up on the feelings of others. This makes them excellent listeners and counselors, as they are able to provide support and guidance to those in need.
INFJs have a unique ability to sense the underlying emotions and motivations of people, even before they express them. They are highly attuned to the needs of others and can easily pick up on subtle cues, such as body language and tone of voice. This allows them to empathize with others on a deep level, often leading to strong emotional connections.
However, this empathetic nature can also be a source of stress for INFJs. They may become overwhelmed by the emotions of others, leading to feelings of anxiety and exhaustion. This is why it is important for INFJs to take time for self-care and set boundaries with others.
Despite the challenges that come with being highly empathetic, INFJs use their ability to connect with others in positive ways. They are often drawn to careers in counseling, psychology, or social work, where they can make a difference in the lives of others.
In relationships, INFJs prioritize emotional intimacy and connection. They seek partners who are honest, authentic, and share their values. They are deeply committed to their partners and will go to great lengths to ensure their happiness.
INFJs And Their Unique Insights
One of the most notable characteristics of INFJs is their ability to intuitively understand the emotions and motivations of others. They have a unique insight into people’s thoughts and feelings, often knowing how someone is feeling before they even realize it themselves. This ability allows INFJs to connect deeply with others and provide valuable insights and guidance.
INFJs also possess a deep sense of empathy and compassion, which allows them to understand the struggles and challenges that others face. They are often drawn to helping professions, such as counseling or social work, where they can use their insights to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Another unique insight that INFJs possess is their ability to see the big picture. They have a natural curiosity and desire to understand the world around them, and are often drawn to philosophical or spiritual pursuits. INFJs have a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all things, and are able to see how every action or decision can have far-reaching consequences.
In addition, INFJs have a strong sense of intuition that allows them to make decisions based on their inner guidance rather than external factors. They are able to trust their instincts and make choices that align with their values and beliefs.
How INFJs Process Information
As an INFJ, your dominant mental process is Introverted Intuition (Ni), which means you tend to gather information internally. However, you also have an extroverted side, which is filled by the “Feeling” side of your personality. This extroverted feeling process allows you to process your emotions outwardly and connect with others on an emotional level.
INFJs have a tendency to fear vulnerability due to their introverted information-gathering process. They tend to ruminate over information they pick up, which can sometimes be toxic and difficult to get out of their system. This fear of vulnerability is fueled by uncertainty around how to form boundaries and who to trust.
To process their thoughts and emotions, INFJs often need to talk to someone they trust. They share all that’s on their mind without worrying about sounding coherent or organized. This allows them to get whatever’s in their head out in the open and begin to make sense of it all. INFJs have an easy time understanding other people’s emotions but may struggle with their own, which is why processing their feelings outwardly is crucial for their emotional well-being.
INFJs In Relationships And Friendships
When it comes to relationships, INFJs are supportive and guided by a sense of integrity. They are highly motivated to resolve conflicts and tend to be creative problem-solvers. INFJs desire cooperation, but they are not willing to compromise their core values and ethics. They want a high degree of intimacy and emotional engagement, and are happiest when they feel they are sharing their innermost thoughts and feelings with their mates. However, true vulnerability may be challenging at first, so INFJs need partners who can be patient until trust is built in the relationship.
In friendships, INFJs have high hopes and want to build deeper connections with people who trust them. They try to understand and accept their friends the way that they want to be understood and accepted. INFJs need friends who understand them well enough to realize how much they care about their friends. Although they may have a small circle of close friends, once they do find genuine friendships, INFJs make loyal, caring companions. Few situations in life bring out INFJs’ bravery and commitment quite like the opportunity to stand up for a friend who needs them.
Fortunately, people with this personality type are more than capable of finding the types of friends they long to meet – they might just have to devote additional energy to it. Sometimes these friends may be hiding in plain sight, among acquaintances whom Advocates simply don’t know all that well. Once they give these people a chance, INFJs may find that they share values and attitudes that make them compatible on a deeper level. Ultimately, the only way to be counted among INFJs’ true friends is to be authentic, honest, and real.