Are you an INFJ?
Do you find yourself drifting away into the world of dreams and reveries, but also have a deep sense of integrity and critical thinking?
As an INFJ, it’s important to live a life that aligns with your ideals and values.
But how can you thrive in a world that often feels overwhelming and chaotic?
In this article, we’ll explore tips and strategies for INFJs to live their best lives, from self-reflection and contemplation to finding meaningful work and relationships.
So, take a deep breath, get comfortable, and let’s dive into how to thrive as an INFJ.
How To Thrive As An INFJ
1. Self-Reflection and Contemplation
INFJs thrive when they have time for self-reflection and contemplation. This means taking time to meditate, practice yoga, spend time in nature, and have alone time. By doing so, INFJs can ground themselves and come back to reality, which is important for their overall well-being.
2. Creative Outlets
INFJs are known for their creativity, and having outlets for that creativity is essential for their happiness. Whether it’s writing, painting, or playing music, finding a way to express themselves creatively can help INFJs feel fulfilled and energized.
3. Trusting Intuition
Intuition is important to INFJs, and they thrive when they can trust it. However, it’s also important for INFJs to look at their intuition from a compassionate and objective stance. By doing so, they can balance their emotions with logic and make critical decisions with a deep sense of integrity.
4. Orderly Environment
INFJs tend to thrive in orderly and structured environments. They are not especially spontaneous and tend to flounder in environments where things are cluttered and out of place. Therefore, it’s important for INFJs to keep their space organized and tidy to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
5. Meaningful Work and Relationships
Deep, close relationships, work that has a purpose, and the opportunity for independence and autonomy predict the best possible outcome for INFJs. They often do well in workplaces that are aligned with their values and ideals, such as mental health professionals, teachers, or yoga instructors. In relationships, INFJs are sensitive to their partner’s needs, great listeners, and excellent communicators.
6. Self-Care
INFJs often work tirelessly for weeks or months at a time, only to find themselves exhausted and burnt out. It’s important for INFJs to find time to tend to themselves through self-care activities such as taking a relaxing bath or reading a book. Although their drive to help others may make them feel selfish for indulging in self-care, it’s an important activity to help them sustainably do all that they do.
Understanding Your INFJ Personality Type
Understanding your INFJ personality type is crucial for thriving as an INFJ. INFJs are a rare personality type, making up only 1-2% of the population. They are introverted, intuitive, empathetic, and have a deep need for structure. However, understanding the paradoxical nature of their personality can be challenging.
INFJs have a unique way of being wired, and it’s important for them to understand their basic traits. They tend to be insightful thinkers who enjoy developing practical strategies for action. Their empathy comes with a sharp intuitive edge, allowing them to recognize worry and unhappiness in others even when outward signs of distress are not visible. INFJs are also natural mediators who help heal rifts that divide people.
To thrive as an INFJ, it’s important to lean into the strengths of their tendencies as well as accept their limitations. INFJs tend to struggle with balancing energy, creating healthy boundaries, and combating perfectionism. However, by recognizing these challenges and working to overcome them, INFJs can contribute to the world in ways only they can.
Above all, INFJs need to validate themselves in a world that often misunderstands them. There is incredible beauty in recognizing the extent to which they are needed in this world. By embracing their full selves and recognizing their worth, INFJs can experience transformation and thrive in all areas of life.
Embracing Your Unique Qualities As An INFJ
As an INFJ, it’s important to embrace your unique qualities and understand how they contribute to your overall well-being. One of the defining qualities of INFJs is their vivid and private imagination, which allows them to see patterns and connections between things and anticipate future events. This gift for anticipating future events can seem “magical” even though it can be explained scientifically.
INFJs are also deeply caring and have a highly-developed awareness of other people’s values and needs. They tend to arrange their lives in order to live harmoniously with the people around them. On some level of consciousness, INFJs feel it is their “mission” to understand all the various shades of how people think. They feel that they can’t make a wise decision until they can “get into the shoes” of other people.
To embrace your unique qualities as an INFJ, it’s important to recognize and honor your need for self-reflection and contemplation. This means taking time to meditate, practice yoga, spend time in nature, and have alone time. By doing so, INFJs can ground themselves and come back to reality, which is important for their overall well-being.
INFJs also thrive when they have creative outlets for their imagination and emotions. Whether it’s writing, painting, or playing music, finding a way to express themselves creatively can help INFJs feel fulfilled and energized.
Trusting intuition is also essential for INFJs. However, it’s also important for INFJs to look at their intuition from a compassionate and objective stance. By doing so, they can balance their emotions with logic and make critical decisions with a deep sense of integrity.
INFJs tend to thrive in orderly and structured environments. They are not especially spontaneous and tend to flounder in environments where things are cluttered and out of place. Therefore, it’s important for INFJs to keep their space organized and tidy to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Finally, embracing your unique qualities as an INFJ means recognizing the importance of meaningful work and relationships, self-care activities, and finding purpose in life. INFJs often do well in workplaces that are aligned with their values and ideals, such as mental health professionals, teachers, or yoga instructors. In relationships, INFJs are sensitive to their partner’s needs, great listeners, and excellent communicators. By embracing these unique qualities as an INFJ, you can thrive and live an authentic life that honors your true self.
Finding Meaningful Work As An INFJ
INFJs are passionate about finding work that aligns with their values and allows them to make a meaningful impact on the world. However, this can be challenging for INFJs who struggle with self-doubt and may not believe in themselves enough to pursue their dream careers.
One way for INFJs to find meaningful work is by connecting with people and helping them in some way. Careers as counselors, psychologists, doctors, life coaches, and spiritual guides can be very attractive options for INFJs who want to make a difference in people’s lives. Non-profit organizations also offer opportunities for INFJs to advocate for worthy causes.
It’s important to note that any personality type can be successful across all industries and job roles. However, INFJs may find certain work types and environments more challenging than others. Developing increased self-awareness can help INFJs identify the internal traits that drive their preferences for how, where, and when they work.
INFJs thrive when they find roles that align with their values. They are passionate about meaningful work and want to find solutions to problems that trouble humanity. They value authentic connections and enjoy creating deep and productive relationships with colleagues. Organizations that value profit over people or have superficial relationships may not be as fulfilling for INFJs.
While there may be certain careers that are less suited to INFJ personality types, it’s important to remember that this doesn’t mean they won’t excel at them. Ultimately, INFJs should pursue careers that align with their values and allow them to make a meaningful impact on the world.
Navigating Relationships As An INFJ
As an INFJ, navigating relationships can be challenging but also deeply rewarding. INFJs tend to seek profound meaning in their relationships and prioritize emotional intimacy. They are highly empathetic and seek partners who reciprocate this quality. However, INFJs can also have unrealistic expectations that could lead them to be viewed as demanding.
INFJs value their privacy and may seem unapproachable or unavailable at times. It’s important for their partners to respect their boundaries and emotional needs. INFJs also tend to evaluate their relationships constantly, looking for authenticity and compatibility. They are unlikely to invest in a relationship if they sense someone is lacking in these qualities.
In relationships, INFJs prioritize maintaining harmony and are highly motivated to resolve conflicts. They tend to be creative problem-solvers and look for the emotional core of an issue to create a meeting of the minds. However, when it comes to their core values and ethics, they are unwilling to compromise.
INFJs thrive in relationships where they can share their innermost thoughts and feelings with their mates. They want a high degree of intimacy and emotional engagement, and are happiest when they feel they are growing together with their partner. Once they are comfortable in a relationship, INFJs love to shower their partner with affection and display a more lighthearted and silly side of their personality.
True vulnerability may be challenging at first, so INFJs need partners who can be patient until trust is built in the relationship. The feelings of those closest to them, including romantic partners, are like an open book to INFJs and they tend to assume that others can see into their hearts just as easily. Unfortunately, the partners of INFJs don’t always share this empathy, which can sometimes cause misunderstandings and hard feelings, especially in the early stages of a relationship.
Ultimately, INFJs value a partner who respects their values and emotions, appreciates their creativity and inspiration, and is willing to commit to continued growth within the relationship. By understanding themselves and their needs, INFJs can navigate relationships with greater ease and find deep fulfillment in their connections with others.
Self-Care And Self-Reflection For INFJs
As an INFJ, self-care and self-reflection are essential for thriving. INFJs tend to be highly sensitive to their surroundings and the emotions of others, which can lead to feeling drained and overwhelmed. Therefore, taking time for self-care and self-reflection is crucial for maintaining balance and well-being.
One way INFJs can practice self-reflection is by setting aside time for contemplation. This can involve meditation, yoga, spending time in nature, or simply having alone time to process thoughts and emotions. By doing so, INFJs can ground themselves and come back to reality, which is important for their overall well-being.
INFJs are also known for their creativity, and having outlets for that creativity is essential for their happiness. Finding a way to express themselves creatively, whether it’s through writing, painting, or playing music, can help INFJs feel fulfilled and energized.
Trusting intuition is important to INFJs, but it’s also important to approach it from a compassionate and objective stance. By doing so, they can balance their emotions with logic and make critical decisions with a deep sense of integrity.
INFJs tend to thrive in orderly and structured environments. Therefore, it’s important for them to keep their space organized and tidy to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Deep, close relationships, work that has a purpose, and the opportunity for independence and autonomy predict the best possible outcome for INFJs. It’s important for INFJs to find work that aligns with their values and ideals, such as mental health professionals, teachers, or yoga instructors. In relationships, INFJs are sensitive to their partner’s needs, great listeners, and excellent communicators.
Finally, self-care is crucial for INFJs to sustainably do all that they do. Taking time for activities such as taking a relaxing bath or reading a book may feel selfish at times but is essential for maintaining balance and well-being. By prioritizing self-care and self-reflection in their daily lives, INFJs can thrive both personally and professionally.
Coping With Overstimulation And Overwhelm As An INFJ
As highly sensitive people, INFJs are easily overwhelmed and overstimulated by their environment. Coping with these feelings can be challenging, but there are several strategies that INFJs can use to manage their emotions and thrive.
One effective strategy is to practice deep breathing exercises. When feeling overwhelmed, INFJs can use the box breathing technique to calm down quickly. This involves inhaling through the nose for a count of four, holding the breath for a count of four, and exhaling through the mouth for a count of four. Continuing this pattern for four minutes can help INFJs feel more grounded and centered.
Another helpful strategy is to create boundaries and prioritize alone time. INFJs need time to process their emotions and recharge, so it’s important for them to set boundaries with others and prioritize alone time. This may mean saying “no” to social events or taking breaks throughout the day to meditate or go for a walk.
INFJs can also benefit from seeking out calming environments and activities. For example, spending time in nature, listening to calming music, or practicing yoga can help INFJs feel more relaxed and centered.
Finally, seeking support from others can be helpful for INFJs. Whether it’s talking to a therapist, joining a support group, or simply confiding in a trusted friend or family member, having someone to talk to about their feelings can help INFJs feel less alone and more understood.
By using these strategies and prioritizing self-care, INFJs can cope with overstimulation and overwhelm and thrive in their daily lives.
