I’ve written before about how emotionally demanding relationships can be for INFJs and I though I’ll touch on it again in this post. This past week has been quite rough on me and some of my close relationships, so this is all very fresh in my mind right now. Today was one of those days where I once again felt like I just hit a brick wall running, in my expectations on others and my never ending struggle to keep relationships which are healthy for me. I guess it all boils down to the classic case of we INFJs longing to be able to relate to someone and be accepted for who we are. We pick our relationships carefully and when they let us down it hurts us more then most people. Because that act proves our ideal about this person to be false, and it was that ideal that made us invest our time and emotions in these people to begin with. Not only do the person let us down but we also let ourselves down in believing that it would be any different. As we INFJs all know we tend to praise our ideals highly so this can be a real punch to our belief in our own abilities.
Janea Taylor says
Thank you all for your presence and attention. It is soooo appreciated. You are so very loved. Please know that. <# Take good care of each. We are all we have. Love is all we need. Live. Love. Learn. Keep Going. Spiral Out. Don't be a tool…..be a TOOL. Fight like a brave like the Red Hot Chili Peppers then turn into a Pumpkin and get Smashed. Then rock out to some Metallica to come back down to this beautiful home we call MOTHER earth. Thank you Grandmother! <3
Zethu says
okay, please forgive me for any typos here… because I am crying right now and I am not sure whether I should leave this reply or not. It’s my first time on this website but I think I have finally found someone who understands what it really means to be an INFJ. What you wrote really resonate with me, I have tried to convince myself that I am not an INFJ but each time I do, I discover more things about myself that just scream at me about how weird I seem to other people.Not to mention that I have also took many different personality tests and the results are the same. I just do not understand why people on the internet think INFJs are these rare glowing souls who know everything. when infact we have real problems like you have just said above… I would go on and on but I got here because I was actually trying to understand the meaning of being antisocial and see if I am antisocial or not, being an INFJ is not something I’ve accepted just like that, I am still trying to figure out if “they” really categorized us INFJs correctly.
Laura says
I also have just come across this site and also crying over the resemblance of my life. I’ve done other research and yes I am a full on INFJ. On one hand I’m so grateful to know this, takes so much pressure off that something is seriously wrong with me. On the other hand feeling like it’s a curse to. I’m 45 years old and 90% of my life feels like a blur. I just want out of my head!! Here’s hoping knowing what we are and finding sites like this can help us.
R says
That first paragraph is heartbreakingly true.
Allison says
This was wonderful to read. So me. I am grateful to know I am not alone. On that note, I have read that us INFJs are bad people to cross and it is definitely true of me that I put up with a lot, but once I hit my limit, watch out. I blow up and then walk away and don’t give the other person another chance to hurt me again. I have only walked away from about four people in my life, and I am happily married, largely due to the fact that I hold my husband in such high esteem in the sense that I admire his kindness and good heart to the point that they trump any difficulties we may have in the marriage. In other words, I over look a lot of jerky stuff he does because I think he is one of the best humans I have met. (In other words, as you said, I idolize him.) For that matter, he does the same for me, because I can be a real handful when I’m pissed. Does anyone have any insight as to why a peace loving, problem resolving INFJ would also be one of the worst people to cross? Because I am and I am not proud of the fact.
The ENTP says
The thought I keep coming back to when reading this, albeit a bit crude, is; stop trying to control what it is that you have no control over. “It” being the world and everything else in it.
When wondering if something is seriously wrong with you or with this world, I think the answer is both.
You are a product of this world, and seeing as the world is imperfect, so are you. The same goes for everybody and everything else, that is a product of this world.
I find solace in accepting this fact. It takes a load off.
Thank you for your ramblings, they are ever so interesting!
Sarah says
Wow, this is so me. I thought I was psycho for feeling so horribly depressed about friendship issues and fallouts, constantly feeling like an emotional fireball, but it’s my wiring, and I am not alone in this struggle. And there ARE ways to help get a grip and help control it, thank the heavens!!
Gigi says
……it’s quite interesting reading your “own” thoughts written by someone else…thank you so much for writing this….
Courtney says
Unfortunately, I have to agree. I am an INFx and I am bi-polar and have issues with depression. It’s sad, but when I read this, it made me feel like I wasn’t so alone with the whole bi-polar and depression thing being an INFx.
Pamela says
Alex,
Most definitely on the INFJ money. Your blogs absolutely resonate with me and my lifelong INFJ-just-being-me struggle. I actually border the INFJ/INFP. 50/50 PJ if you had read my test earlier in my life and with age, now 44, most days INFJ. I’m pretty sure family of origin, my environment, my career and good ole Babylon (world) shape me. I’ve learned to walk with Jesus, listen closely to my intuition and throw expectations of others out the window. Am I good at all three of those?…no way, takes time and practice. I have possibly seen all the disadvantages of being and INFJ but am now seeing the advantages. Yes, I too feel alone some days and I’m married for 23 years and am surrounded by others that I call friend and whom love me as is, and I keep them close because I know they really do. Biggest and best difference in my life is Jesus. He is always a constant and He has been vital to this INFJ. Alex….you’re not alone and you are very loved. Did I mention we are understanders of empathy and been there, done that, have the T-shirt. ;)
Alex says
Hi Pamela,
Thanks for reading and really appreciate you sharing. I’m borderline on the P/J also, but low introverted feeling so definitely not an INFP. I would not say I’m a christian but I do believe in Jesus and he is a great source of inspiration to me. Jesus was an INFJ for sure ;)
Roger says
Alex
I love how you write and express yourself, It’s like I am hearing myself speak. I never found out till yesterday who I am. I am 48, and I have had a lot of traits, but till about 6 years ago doors just opened up. More so now, my brain won’t stop. Went it’s full somehow it compresses so more goes in. I have a draw for everything, and a million more with thoughts I keep in case. I have started to master retrieving them as everything is a puzzle sometimes I can get them all to work and see a picture.
The problem is since six years ago I don’t seem to dream much. I might have a scatted thought of parts but I don’t think I reach Rem anymore. I kind of think sometimes I never reach it cause my brain won’t stop.
Also how would I know if I met another INFJ? I can’t honestly describe myself, See I think my gift was writing or poetry.
Thank You.
Alex says
Hi Roger,
Thanks for your reply and sorry for the delay in getting back to you. The body’s ability to produce serotonin at sleep usually decline with age. Serotonin has a big impact on dreams and how much you dream. I might want to look into trying a natural supplement called 5-HTP at bedtime, this will probably help you get better sleep and also dream more. Personally I think dreaming is very important in order to stay emotionally healthy.
Usually it can be hard to pinpoint INFJs in real life since they have complex personalities. Chance is though that if you feel like you connect to someone you met on a deeper level, it is likely that this person is an NF personality.
Thanks for reading!
Kara says
Hi Alex: I am a fellow INFJ and a lot of what you say on your blog is spot on. I have over the course of my life thought I was a wrecking ball of emotions. I have gotten better at regulating them as I am close to 40 now, versus when I was in my 20’s. It is hard to be us. I look forward to reading more of your blogs!
Alex says
Thanks Kara, I appreciate the feedback! Nice to hear that it gets easier with the years, I still have a bit to go to get there but making good progress :)