A while back I had written a post on what it was like to be an INFP. I talked about some of the issues I had faced with that, as well as some of the amazing benefits of knowing your MBTI type. But through dealing with the current situation, I have been continually learning about myself as a human being. For example, I am not an INFP.
That may seem like such a weird thing for me to say. But as human beings, we grow, we change, and we continue to discover who we are. So I thought I would do an updated post to explain why I came to this realization, some characteristics of ENFPs, and what I plan to do with this information 🙂
WHY I AM CHANGING MY MBTI TYPE
So normally your MBTI type doesn’t change. You may grow and change as a person, but you tend to stay the same type. You may not even fit into the typical definitions of that type, but you still relate to it. I had many reasons to believe I was an INFP, but there were always things I just couldn’t relate to.
For example, I am an idea person. I love writing and creating, but have a really hard time following through. But it wasn’t because I was no longer interested, it was because I lost focus. I also feel very passionately about many things, and can be a hopeless romantic. But I’m not one to pine for affection, and have gotten through the awkwardness I used to feel in that area (not that it ever truly fades). I also didn’t relate to some of the more classic INFP characters, or the definitions associated with it. There were so many areas that made sense, but there were also so many that made me feel a bit lost and upset. The reason that I had loved the MBTI types is because it helped me feel that I wasn’t crazy, alone, or the only one who thought a certain way.
The main reason I thought I must be an INFP and not an ENFP is that first little letter. I always thought that I was an introvert. I figured that because of my social anxiety and how much people tend to annoy me, I couldn’t be extroverted. I always felt drained after a huge social gathering, and would feel so anxious that it ended up being hard enough getting myself to go. But I also remember when I was going through my hellish nightmare of a year, and how I had to take a step back, but was still wanting the company of my close friends. I needed the support from others. I craved human interaction, because it helped me cope.
And now, I’m in a situation where I can’t see people face to face, and I’m feeling that same pain and struggle as I did then. But I’m able to handle it better, because I’ve realized that I feed off of interactions. I’m so thankful for the technology we have, and that has made a difference. It’s not the same, but it definitely helps.
So now that my social anxiety is more manageable, I’m able to realize that I’m not really introverted. And once I learned that lesson, I decided to revisit my MBTI type and learn more about myself.
THE ENFP TYPE
It’s weird that I never contemplated that I could be one, because I would get it occasionally when I took different MBTI personality tests. I’ve found the one on 16 personalities to be the most reliable, and decided to retake it. And guess what I got? That’s right, an ENFP. So I did some research on the type, looking at the characteristics associated with it, the thinking patterns and behaviors, and the characters and definitions associated with it. And I realized that my type hadn’t necessarily changed, my view of myself had, and I was able to be more honest with myself as a result. So, I thought I’d share what I have learned.
THEY ARE FULL OF IDEAS
This is something I’ve always found true about myself. ENFPs are great at coming up with ideas. They are passionate, quick thinkers who always have a scheme brewing. We know how to make a story out of anything, and can be super passionate about those ideas.Yet, we also have a really hard time with follow through, and hate busy work. We may get invested in a project, only to switch gears when a new idea pops into our heads (hey amazing trilogy I was going to write, I’m looking at you). And if there are a bunch of mundane, repetitive tasks, we get bored. And if we get too bored, we may just move on.
THEY ARE “BUBBLY KLUTZES”
This is a definition that tends to be associated with ENFPs, and it’s kind of true. Yet, not all of us are, and we aren’t that way 24/7.
We tend to think in the positive. We don’t want to deal in the negative, and just want to spread sunshine and make everyone happy. We’re like little golden retrievers who just want to love you and make you smile and never see you upset. We can also be super forgetful, misplacing things or losing our train of thought.
Yet, this doesn’t mean that we aren’t serious. When it comes to the important things in life, we feel very strongly. We stress about our future, and remember the important things. We have a strong moral code, and won’t go against it. We may not want to upset your feelings, but that doesn’t mean that we aren’t going to tell you when we think you are wrong.
THEY ARE EMPATHETIC, LOYAL, AND REALLY ANNOYING SOMETIMES
Okay, so I have to admit that I can be a pain sometimes. I get easily annoyed by others, and I don’t always react well. It’s the little mannerisms and tones to me that drive me nuts, and I will make it known. I also have my own quirks and ticks that will drive you up a wall, and I have a hard time with admitting it. We don’t want to be told we are wrong, or given harsh criticism. And we don’t always listen when you are talking. I know I can be a pain, and I’m continuing to work on it.
Yet, even though I may annoy the crap out of you, I will never abandon you. I will support you as much as I possibly can, and am really hard to get rid of. Going back to the golden retriever- I’m that little puppy that follows you home, won’t leave your side, and that you end up keeping forever. I don’t give up on people easily, and sometimes it can be hard when others don’t show that same level of effort. It’s a hard lesson to learn, but it won’t change the way I am. Even if I’m forgetful and don’t always show how much I care, I am always there for you. Because it’s a part of who I am.
And because of these deep feelings and loyalty, I can also show great empathy. I’m not always great at it, but I feel so much. Sometimes I feel the weight of others emotions, or it can feel like I am in touch with the whole worlds feelings. It’s weird and wonderful, and sometimes upsetting. I’m learning how to balance those feelings and remain positive.
THEY ARE A CONSTANT PARADOX
So we are deep feelers who can be oblivious to the world around them. We are strong and confident while also being forgetful and clumsy. We are idea makers and creators who may not actually end up creating anythng. We are a constant strand of paradoxes, and it never ends.
And even better, you may never be able to fully figure us out, because we are constantly changing. We want to be the best version of ourselves possible, so we are constantly improving or changing things up. This can be as simple as our aesthetic, a hairstyle, or our decor. Or it can be a big change, like a career shift, a change in our viewpoints, or our personal goals and aspirations. We are constantly seeking that version of ourselves that is happy, healthy, and free. And we won’t stop chasing it. We can’t help it.
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED AND PLAN ON DOING WITH THIS INFORMATION
I’ve learned so much about myself, and that I truly am an ENFP. I want to continue to explore this aspect of myself, and want to share my findings with you. I had mentioned in the other post doing a series, but I’m not sure what that would look like quite yet. But this is something I’m passionate about, because I feel that the more we can learn about ourselves and the way our mind works, the better we can cope with our situations and grow as human beings. So stay tuned for more information, writing, and thoughts on the ENFP type, because I want to share them.
I hope that you have found this post either helpful or informative, and that you continue to grow and learn about yourself as well.
Are you interested in MBTI typology? If so, what type are you? Let me know in the comments!
Until next time 🙂
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