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How would you describe being an INFJ?
Do you believe it's one of the "rare types"?
Do you believe it's one of the "rare types"?
I also wonder how rare is INFJ if so many are claiming to be one. :laughing:A stranger in a strange land. Though rare, I've never thought of myself as special or a snowflake. I've read that people think we are SJWs, but I find SJWs to be complete frauds lacking empathy for the people they victimize in their lopsided schemes. If anything, I try to present myself as normal and conventional to fit in and avoid scrutiny. I fly below most people's radar, and only a select few people really know me.
Edit: I think being a rare type makes people on sites like this want to identify themselves as INFJ. I wonder if most of them have actually tested that way, or if they just read a description and thought it sounded cool. I can assure other types that being INFJ is no picnic. I wouldn't recommend it. However, I also think that many INFPs, especially the angry and orderly ones, are actually INFJs.
There are two factors at play:I also wonder how rare is INFJ if so many are claiming to be one. :laughing:
A lot of teens/young adults I know feel misunderstood. This "uniquely me" concept is so attractive everyone wants to be different but actually when you line them all up, they're all uniquely the same. *bubble burst*There are two factors at play:
1. Everybody sees the INFJ description and the "feeling misunderstood" part and "special" and it is easy to "identify as INFJ". It's a fashionable item. It's an easy fix for anyone that doesn't want to search into the reasons of why they are having a difficult time being understood or perhaps changing their ways or perceptions. Pick INFJ, if you are feeling misunderstood, easy fix. Fixing your shortcoming is hard, and nobody has time for that, that would take away from Facebook and Snapchat time. By the way, you can quickly remove from the list of INFJ anybody with Snapchat that is active daily, because that does not look like high Ni, low Se at all.
2. INFJs tend to flock to internet forums. It only creates the illusion that there are many. How many do you know in real life? I only know one. Not to mention that actual INFJs count, not the self-titled INFJs. To tell you the truth, I am not absolutely convinced that INFJ is an INFJ. The only one that has been tested and retested is myself. So, I only know one INFJ IRL, myself. It could be possible that some cultures have more or less than them. I can imagine the US having more of them than... North Korea for example. The environment plays a factor too.
I am not convinced INFJs are not the rarest. I read somewhere that 0.5% of the population are INFJ males. That is a very low number indeed. I can't find the stupid article.
It doesn't matter that much anyways.
A lot of teens/young adults I know feel misunderstood. This "uniquely me" concept is so attractive everyone wants to be different but actually when you line them all up, they're all uniquely the same. *bubble burst*
I do think that asians are more work focused and less into interpersonal stuff. It could be culture influencing them, it could be genetics influencing culture, it could be both influencing each other.I live in SE Asia and where I'm from I don't meet many people who know their MBTI type. Even if they do, we don't discuss it as it isn't a big thing here. But here on this forum everyone seems to know the MBTI types of everyone around them, it amazes me. Are these people all tested? I learned from a MBTI Consultant that people can easily mistype themselves if they don't know how to do the test correctly, so I'm not surprised many people are so.
Abundance of resources and possibly some parental neglect / trauma? I know, this sounds like INFJs are faulty, which in a way it is, if you think about it. Almost all INFJs have some sort of abandonment issue, or some responsibility issue. I see it in many ways, all sorts of phobias, mental disorders, fear of commitment, not wanting to have children, all of which overwrite the genetic programming of people that say they must eat, grow, socialize, have children, nurture. Yet, with most INFJs I see an adversity to that. Sure, you can make the case that there are other types that experience this, but you never see it with other FJs. ENFJs, ISFJs, ENFJs, seem to want to have children, yet the INFJs I see, certainly on the specific forums don't really feel they're up to it. They are often single and experience some sort of difficulty that reshapes the way they live their life.I know 2 other INFJs IRL. Why do you think US have more % of INFJs? What about the environment there that creates INFJs? And can type be created by environment? I doubt so.
I think most INFJs never really fit anywhere. I will only apologize once for this, but I just think INFJs are so rare because they are mostly unsuccessful as a "species". Look at the most common type out there, the ISFJ, it is very nurturing and conservative. It has a purpose, it is skilled in taking care of others, they are not too focused on risks. Does anyone have any doubts why this type is everywhere? By comparison, the INFJ is the rarest. I know, we have great insight and stuff, but the problem is most don't ever get to use it. Most INFJs I see are stuck in fantasy land. They constantly envision utopias but they never seem to start with themselves. Too focused on fixing the world around them, not really interested in the reasons why it is "broken" in the first place. They live their lives a slave to Fe, a function that they are not that good at, yet they live like it is their most important goal.Also a side note: I disagree with people who suggest that INFJs stay at home most of the time and surf the internet with little to no real-life friends. Gross misrepresentation as it makes INFJs out to be socially awkward recluse. We like our safe haven but we don't hang on to it like a crutch.
I'm not sure fear of commitment is a INFJ nature. I also don't think trauma creates INFJs. I need more convincing on that. But I admit that I think about marriage and kids much later in life than my friends. When I was younger, I didn't think they were important part of my life, or even necessary.Abundance of resources and possibly some parental neglect / trauma? I know, this sounds like INFJs are faulty, which in a way it is, if you think about it. Almost all INFJs have some sort of abandonment issue, or some responsibility issue. I see it in many ways, all sorts of phobias, mental disorders, fear of commitment, not wanting to have children, all of which overwrite the genetic programming of people that say they must eat, grow, socialize, have children, nurture. Yet, with most INFJs I see an adversity to that. Sure, you can make the case that there are other types that experience this, but you never see it with other FJs. ENFJs, ISFJs, ENFJs, seem to want to have children, yet the INFJs I see, certainly on the specific forums don't really feel they're up to it. They are often single and experience some sort of difficulty that reshapes the way they live their life.
I'm not the one to say how people should live their lives, but it does seem to me, from a logical, pragmatic point of view, that people would in general, want children? I mean, without this drive, we wouldn't be the most successful species. I am curious on how the percentages of personalities have changed over time. Which type was more numerous, which one was rare, how the dynamics changed.
First of, words if wisdom. In my opinion, atleast.[...]
If there was a group of INFJs, and I've be part of it, I'd probably be cast out very fast. While I would like to keep things polite, I wouldn't have a problem offending when there is a need to offend, saying it rough, when the truth requires it, criticizing when there is a need to criticize. I am not one with the hive mind. And it allows me to see the sun rays again. Living under the "protect everybody's feelings and walk in their shoes" mindset was one of the darkest times, especially as a child. Everybody can take care of their own feelings. This has been the most liberating thing I have learned back when I did therapy. When you leave everybody manage their own feelings (with the exception of family or very close friends that actually ask for your help) you essentially enforce freedom. And freedom is the best medicine of the mind. Never sacrifice truth for group integrity, because you only end up with a group bound together by lies, nothing ever improves when relationships are built on comfortable lies.
I can relate to this very much. I've been in a weird phase in my life where I've been "trying on" personalities since my normal self hasn't made me very happy throughout my life. Ever since starting college I've hung out with a bunch of ESXP, ENFP and ISXP types and I've created this facade of me being this outgoing, bubbly, super chill yolo person and the shocking thing is people actually believe meAn overly complicated manner of existence.
I sometimes fantasize about having a different personality altogether and wonder if that might make certain things in life far easier. But honestly I wouldn't know any other way of existence.
Do you think Kenshin Himura (your avatar) is an INFJ? Do you relate to him?An overly complicated manner of existence.
The way in which I have always fundamentally perceived the world and interacted with my environments has remained consistent.
For the day to day I find that most other people I know and have interacted with have a far easier time. So I often struggle with things but keep it under wraps.
I sometimes fantasize about having a different personality altogether and wonder if that might make certain things in life far easier. But honestly I wouldn't know any other way of existence.
Suffice it to say the regular way life is structured and lived in the modern age is quite contrary to how I would want to exist.
I also find myself always having difficulty with relating to people and I find people look up to me for a varied host of characteristics that I have cultivated into my personality and that tends to create an even further divide that I am not a fan of.
I'm not a huge fan but its the hand I've been dealt and I try to make the best of it.
On a large scale it is definitely rare. I have yet to come across another though I'm fairly sure I know of a few who hide it well.
I tried that in high school. ESTJ was my facade of choice. Got me through some troubling moments where I needed to be authoritative and in a leadership like role.I can relate to this very much. I've been in a weird phase in my life where I've been "trying on" personalities since my normal self hasn't made me very happy throughout my life. Ever since starting college I've hung out with a bunch of ESXP, ENFP and ISXP types and I've created this facade of me being this outgoing, bubbly, super chill yolo person and the shocking thing is people actually believe me![]()
The problem is I can't keep it up for long periods of time, I need to be alone and think about things and I find the idea of a sudden weekend trip out of town without planning very stressful. I'm also lacking the certain type of conversation that I can only get out of certain people in the late hours of night if they are feeling a philosophical mood. I crave that and I feel that people are getting tired of talking about things when I haven't even really gotten started over-analyzing yet![]()
You know funnily enough before I learned about personality types I used to always relate to Kenshin. At least the non battousai the slasher part.Do you think Kenshin Himura (your avatar) is an INFJ? Do you relate to him?