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Monday, September 9, 2013

On Being the One Percent - INFJ

Last week, I mentioned how it wasn't until the past year or so that I finally found out who I really am as a woman. Yep, it took me that long to fully accept and embrace my true self instead of always trying to fit into the box that society, or my mom, or my friends, or peers tried to put me in. I never felt like I fit into that box but it wasn't until now that I realized it's really okay. I had taken the Myers-Briggs profile questionnaire more times than I can count through high school and college and honestly, I can't remember what I "was" back then but I can almost guarantee that it started with an "E." Why? Because I figured all normal people were extroverted. I was cheerful, full of energy, and loved performing in front of people, so I had to be extroverted, right? Wrong. But it wasn't until 2011 that I found out I was really, truly, no questions asked an:

INFJ


Introverted | Intuition | Feeling | Judging

Without fail, every time I take that questionnaire, I get the same results now that I fully know, understand, and embrace who I am and how I act, feel, plan, etc. I had no idea the questionnaire for this Blogtember prompt [you can take it here] was one that yielded Myers-Briggs type results. So, when I saw those four letters, "INFJ" I smiled to myself :)

I am introverted in that I enjoy spending time alone. Don't get me wrong, I love get-togethers and having fun but it always gets to a certain point where I feel myself quickly becoming drained. Am I anti-social? No. Am I reserved until you get to know me? Yes. And you better watch out once you get to know me because I am quite the goof ball! I just value my "me" time to re-charge and when I'm with others, I prefer a smaller group of people whom I trust.

I am intuitive in that I am deeply led by my strong insight into people and situations. Since a young age, I've had a pretty spot-on, extremely strong intuition and instinct. If you ever heard my story about what I jokingly predicted in first grade, you might be a bit freaked out. I think maybe my sixth sense just runs in the family :) 

I am feeling in that everything I do is usually through emotion. I recently read this about INFJ's: "We do not sympathize. We do not empathize. We literally feel exactly what you feel. Even if you are trying to hide it or don’t express your feelings, somehow we still know." Additionally, I make many decisions based off of how something makes me feel. I tend to take things personally. I feel my way through life.

And I am judging in that I prefer to have closure, whether it's a conversation, a project at work, or plans for the weekend... I like to have things figured out and completed ahead of time. That is how I best move forward in situations. I believe that there is (almost always) a right way and a wrong way to do things and I prefer the right way :)

As I read here, "INFJs, making up an estimated 1% of all people, are the most rare type. They are introspective, caring, sensitive, gentle and complex people that strive for peace and derive satisfaction from helping others. INFJs are highly intuitive, empathetic and dedicated listeners. These traits tend to act as a "tell me what's wrong" sign on their forehead, hence the nicknames Confidant, Counselor or Empath. INFJs are intensely private and deeply committed to their beliefs."

Fun Fact: Fellow INFJs are two of my favorite people - Adam Sandler and Oprah!

That's me, in a nutshell. Which makes me even more excited to write about something important that my future holds. One day, my friends. One day :)

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love this! I'm going to take that test! I'm the same way - introverted. I love love love me some me time, it's just so relaxing sometimes, and other times, I just need some time to think by myself :)

Unknown said...

I'm an INFJ too- and I had no idea that my girl Oprah was as well! You learn something new every day :) I like to think that we're the nicest.

Amy said...

I'm INFJ, too, and I'm glad I read your explanation because you clarified some things for me. I am exactly, exactly like you described. I also didn't know that we are so rare... 1%, eh? Thanks for this post!

Ash said...

dude- im an ENTJ, which is also the least had personality amongst women! .09% baby! bahaha but i have a differential so i could be INTJ, INFJ, ENTJ, or ENFJ... im all over the place... are we surprised? not one bit

also.. did you see which disney character you are? Cinderelly cinderelly.... aka the COUNSELOR..

hello life coach (;

Veronica and Daniel said...

Im in the 1% as well :) As I was reading the description I just kept nodding my head in agreement - so me :) Happy Monday!

Sarah Elizabeth said...

I'm an INTJ too - it's taken me a long time to be okay with being an introvert, especially as it over weighs extrovert by just 1% for me. It also taught me I'm an internal processor, instead of external like the rest of my team at work.

Jenn @ What You Make It said...

It seems like you got so much out of this! I think I used to think something was wrong with me socially, until I figured out I was an introvert. It's all to do with energy, and I just don't have the energy to be social for long periods of time. But that's okay! : )

Sarah Lorenz said...

I loved the post :) I'm an INFJ as well!

Miss Chelsea said...

We had to take this test in college, I was INFP!

SanBriego said...

ENFP!! :)

Kelly Z said...

I got the same as you and pretty much fit with your descriptions too!

Anonymous said...

It was such a great project to do this post. I love your insights to who you are. Mne was ESFJ and fits me to a tee.

Lauren said...

I am an ENFJ... I am an "E" by 1% haha. It makes sense because I feel like I go between periods of introversion and extroversion. I can totally see you as the INFJ!

Anonymous said...

we're so close! I'm an INFP. and that test really does hit pretty perfectly for me. I liked to learn that being an I doesn't mean I hate fun or get-togethers or being with friends, it just means I have to regroup on my own instead of in a crowd...

awesome explanation about your letters.

Erika from America said...

I loved your take on INFJs! And hearing how each of the letters suits you. INFJs, from my experience, are awesome and it seems that the internet is one of the only places to find them, haha. I didn't take Jenni's test (though I did do the prompt today) but I'm in ENFP! :)

--Erika
http://www.chimerikal.com

Anonymous said...

Yay for another INFJ! :)

Mary Hill said...

Hi, so true about closure. I find it is so important. I hate things in limbo. :)

Mary-andering Creatively

Mary-andering Among the Pages

sue said...

HOLY COW! I took this test years ago -- but forgot what my results were -- so I just took it again...and INFJ!! Geez!!! haha All the best people are, I guess! :) It'd be interesting to see how many "creatives" are INFJ! I bet a lot! :)

sue said...

Duh - just checked out the career choices -- All are creative! haha guess that answers my question!

Anonymous said...

I'm an INFJ as well. :)