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 :)