“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.”
Albert Camus – INFP
The INFPs
are some of the most insightful, deep-thinking Idealists of all the personality types. They are quick to listen, slow to speak, and generous in their compassion towards others. They rely on their masterful Introverted Feeling (Fi) to form a strong set of internal values, and to empathize deeply with others. They also use Extraverted Intuition (Ne), which helps them to see numerous perspectives and creative outlets for the future. INFPs can be iconic writers, groundbreaking musicians, empathetic counselors, and innovative thinkers. If you look at famous INFPs you’ll find a plethora of talented individuals; J.R.R. Tolkien, A.A. Milne, Edgar Allan Poe, and Vincent Van Gogh are just a few!
What Does INFP Stand For?
I = Introversion. INFPs focus inwards before responding to the outside world. They gain energy from alone time when they can reflect on their own thoughts.
N = iNtuition. INFPs prefer focusing on abstract possibilities and ideas rather than concrete data. They prefer imagining what could be rather than dwelling on what “is.”
F = Feeling. INFPs apply personal values and ethics to decision-making. They want to live in congruence with their moral code and they consider the emotional impact a decision will have on others.
P = Perceiving. INFPs like having a lot of options and tend to be adaptable and spontaneous. They like to mix work with play and enjoy an exploratory approach to life.
INFP Motivations and Weaknesses:
- Driving Force. To live a life in alignment with their values and ethics. To stand up for a cause they believe in. To experience inner harmony and integrity with one’s self.
- Backup Strength. Awareness of possibilities, potential, and alternatives. Highly imaginative and creative, with a strong focus on the big picture.
- Weaknesses: May be disorganized and have difficulty with structure and efficiency. They can struggle to maintain objective, logical consistency in their decisions.
- Stressors: Lack of alone time, conflict situations, rigid rules and schedules, unstable relationships, having a job that lacks personal meaning, being forced to “act” in order to get along with people.
INFP Personality Traits:
While every person varies based on their background and their Enneagram type, INFPs often have the following characteristics:
- They are imaginative and open-minded
- They look for possibilities beyond the immediate situation
- They are empathetic and conscientious
- They need a great deal of alone time to reflect and think
- They tend to keep their feelings close to the chest
- They are skilled at understanding the authenticity levels of others
- They have a radar for the emotional safety of the environment they’re in or the people they’re with
- They easily put themselves in other people’s shoes
- They are curious and excited by variety
- They don’t like being tied down to a lot of rules, structures, or guidelines
- They like to keep their options open
INFP Careers:
Creativity, originality, and integrity are the things that motivate INFPs in a career. It’s essential that what they are doing lines up with their values. They want to look back on their life and see a career that meant something to them or the world and was not simply a meaningless race to get to their next paycheck. They long to express their vision through creative tasks and they crave time to develop ingenious ideas and creative solutions. A quiet place to work, a friendly, caring environment, and an atmosphere of creativity and vision will make them feel at home.
Career Suggestions: Artist, Writer, Musician, Counselor, Religious Advisor, Social scientist, Arts therapist, Human resources worker, Educational software developer.
Famous INFPs:
Albert Camus, George Orwell, Antoine de Saint-Exupery, A.A. Milne, Bill Watterson, Franz Kafka, Edgar Allan Poe, William Blake, Vincent van Gogh, Hans Christian Andersen, William Shakespeare, George R.R. Martin, John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, Tim Burton, Johny Depp, Nicolas Cage, Florence Welch, Bjork, Thom Yorke, David Lynch, Terrence Malick, Andy Warhol, Andrew Garfield, Robert Pattinson, Adam Driver, Heath Ledger, Chloe Sevigny, Regina Spektor, Matt Bellamy, Lana del Ray
Your Important INFP Links:
24 Signs That You’re an INFP, the Dreamer Personality Type
Dealing with Emotional Overwhelm as an INFP
Your INFP Personality and Your Enneagram Type
A Look at the INFP Leader
12 Fictional Characters You’ll Relate to if You’re an INFP
INFPs and Their Compatibility with Every Myers-Briggs® Personality Type
The Powerful Imagination of INFPs and INFJs
Here’s Why INFPs and INTPs Get Misunderstood
25 Quotes That INFPs Will Instantly Identify With
3 Weird and Wonderful Secrets of the INFP Personality Type
10 Ways to Spark Your Creativity as an INFP
The Unhealthy INFP
10 Things You Should Never Say to an INFP
The Rare INFP Male
The Top 7 Gift Ideas for INFPs
The Childhood Struggles of INFPs
10 Amazing INFP Anime Characters
Attack on Titan is by far my favorite anime to watch. Passionate, heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, and filled with action, this show ticks every box of what I’m looking for in a TV series. Though I’m still waiting for new episodes of Season 4, I’ve taken the time to mentally sort through the personalities of the characters….
Have you ever heard the word “looping” thrown around and wondered what it meant? In the type community, looping is an instance where someone veers back and forth between the dominant and tertiary functions in their mental function stack. Here’s a picture to help clarify. We’re using the INTJ as an example, but we’ll be…
Today we’re going to explore some of the things that create a sense of joy and fulfillment for each personality type. Not sure what your personality type is? Take our new personality questionnaire here. Or you can take the official MBTI® here. This article contains affiliate links to books on Amazon. If you purchase one…
Ever wondered what your significant other really fears in your relationship? Today we’re looking at some of the biggest underlying anxieties each type faces when they enter the dating scene. Knowing these fears can help you to be considerate of your partner’s headspace and individual needs. I’ve also included some infographics to help you be…
If you’re a newbie to typology, one of the most confusing aspects of your type may be the S or N preference in your type code. Whenever I’m working with someone to help them find their type, the S/N dichotomy is one that puzzles them most. So how can you tell if you’re an intuitive?…
Everyone has a set of things that they’re patient about, and a set of things that make them impatient. What are yours? Not sure what your personality type is? Take our new personality questionnaire here. Or you can take the official MBTI® here. The ENFP You are patient when it comes to exploring options, brainstorming, and examining alternatives….
Are you sick of reading INFJ or INFP articles and feeling just as lost as ever? I’ve written articles comparing the two types, gone onto long discourses about the cognitive functions, and so on. But I think the answer lies in simplicity. Today let me break down the differences as quickly and simplistically as possible….
When my 14-year-old pleaded with me to watch “Haikyuu!!” with her I have to admit I was not expecting much. Watching a bunch of anime high school boys play volleyball sounded painfully dull. I don’t like sports movies (much to my ESTP husband’s chagrin) and I’m 36-years-old. What could I possibly find to enjoy in…
It’s no secret that personality quizzes are fun. Whether you’re taking a Buzzfeed “Which Marvel Character Are You?” test or buckling down for a psychological Jungian-style test, we all want to know who we are. Sharpening our sense of identity can help us to navigate the world with a clearer sense of purpose. Or it…
Do you want to figure out what unique perspectives and gifts you bring to the table based on your personality type? Today we’re going to explore the “Hero” functions of each type through visuals and statements. These visuals can help you get a clearer understanding of your own and others’ types. In the future I’ll…
As an MBTI® practitioner, it often feels like I live, eat, and breathe typology. Between coaching people about their type, writing about type, and making videos about type, a lot of my time involves dealing with people and their perceptions of type. But there are times when I feel like throwing in the towel and…
Carl Jung once said, “There is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert. Such a person would be in the lunatic asylum.” As the founder of psychological type, the fact that he said this is very significant. And it’s true, as well. Everyone has an introverted side, and everyone has an extroverted side….
Last week while I was working I was listening to an Oldies playlist that always tends to put me in a good mood. The song You Don’t Own Me came on, and as I was enjoying it, I suddenly realized that the song would be an ideal anthem for the EFP or IFP personality types!…
Want to deep-dive into the source of some of your worst weaknesses? Today we’re going to explore the “Demon” function of each personality type in the Myers-Briggs® system. The Demon is the last function in your cognitive function stack and a background player in many of your biggest mistakes. However, on the flip-side, the demon…
“Although he is not really evil, the Trickster does the most atrocious things from sheer unconsciousness and unrelatedness.” – Carl Jung Have you ever wondered why certain people bother you more than others? Perhaps you have an organized, no-nonsense friend who naturally takes to leadership. Other friends of yours admire this person, but for some…
Dear INFJs and INFPs, I’ve heard from you in so many emails as of late, and this post is directed at those of you who are dealing with an overwhelming amount of worry and uncertainty. This year, more than most years has been shrouded in a haze of uncertainty and confusion. Now more than ever…
Today we’re continuing our deep-dive series into each of the 16 Myers-Briggs® personality types. If you’re a newbie to type, this may be a little intense for you. If you’re looking for something that can explain the basics of Myers-Briggs typology, you can get a beginner’s look in our article, A Brief Guide to the…
Do you really want to dig deep into your personality type and how it works? If you’re tired of worn-out, lite-quality data then you’re in the right place. We’re learning about each of the 16 Myers-Briggs® personality types in-depth by breaking down their cognitive function stacks and seeing 8 unique ways that they experience the…
Is there a certain part of your life that feels nearly impossible to master? Do you feel like the same experiences trip you up again and again? Your Myers-Briggs® personality type might have something to do with that! Each of us is wired to perform well in certain areas but at the expense of other…
Do you ever find yourself thinking that someone is being super rude, but then realize no one else really seems all that bothered? If so, perhaps you’ve discovered something that your personality type considers rude but that other types tend to overlook, or at least judge less harshly. Of course, there are some behaviors that…
Have you ever wondered if you’re an ISFJ or an INFP? Or are you an ISFJ or an INFP trying to figure out how to get along with this other type? It’s that age-old question. The one everyone asks and few have the means to answer. How do we differentiate two cuties? ISFJ vs INFP…
Last week we explored how each personality type experiences their dominant function. Today we’re going to explore the auxiliary function. The auxiliary function acts as a support to your dominant function. You can think of the dominant as the “commander in chief” of your personality and the auxiliary as the “second in command.” Your auxiliary…
Do you ever wonder why you see the world in such a vastly different way from other personality types? A lot of this has to do with your cognitive functions. Each of us live and breathe and absorb the details of life in completely different ways. One cognitive function has the highest priority in your…
After writing a post about songs that INFJs relate to, I decided to start talking to some other personality types about their most relatable songs. I joined an INFP group and asked for their input, and I also went through Quara threads where INFPs listed songs they think embody what it’s like to be an…
The ENFP You easily spot patterns and connections that other people fail to notice. When you look around you, there’s a sense that everything is connected and part of a bigger picture. What does the tree have in common with the car on the side of the road? How is a fork like a piano?…
You know that thing you’re really good at but you’re also pretty sure is kinda strange? Like how my brother can memorize random facts and pull them out at exactly the right moment to make himself look like an eccentric genius? Or how one of my friends from church can make you feel like you…
Do you ever feel like the people around you keep talking down to you rather than respecting your perspective? Sometimes people are condescending intentionally. Other times, people get condescending without even realizing they are doing so. This is especially true when it comes to contrasting personality types. Understanding how we might be inadvertently condescending to…
I love using Myers-Briggs® to talk about fictional characters, but I’ve never used it to type mythological figures before and I was excited when Susan suggested this topic to me. Greek mythology is a fairly recent interest of mine sparked in part by Lore Olympus, part by my obsession with the Hadestown musical, and part…
Are you an INFP who loves anime? Over the last two months, I’ve gotten dozens of requests for an article about INFP characters in anime. It seems to me that anime characters have a special place in the hearts of INFPs, and it’s not hard to see why. Anime is filled with characters who fight…
Ever wished you could spend all that time when you’re driving to work doing something useful? Or at least a bit more entertaining? That’s one of the reasons I started listening to podcasts. Driving often takes up huge chunks of our days and since it’s vitally important that we keep our eyes on the road…
Many of us dream of becoming superheroes. Questions like, “If you could pick any superpower what would it be?” or “Which superhero would you be in real life?” can entertain us for hours. While we might not be getting superpowers any time soon, we all have things in common with superpowered characters. There are characters…
Would you like to discover more about your personality type in a visual way? I tend to learn best through reading, but some people learn best through audio or visual means. That’s why today I want to shine the light on some YouTube typology experts who make Myers-Briggs® engaging, fun, or even comical. Let’s get…
Some of the most intriguing fictional characters that I’ve ever read about have been INFPs. Idealistic and filled with imagination, they are filled with a desire to see their values and insights replicated in the real world. Let’s take a look at twelve characters that INFPs strongly relate to (most are INFPs, but some are…
The ENFP Homeschooling Parent This parent is driven by inspiration and enthusiasm. She believes that children are driven by the heart, and without touching the heart, any lesson would be pointless. A natural rule-breaker, the ENFP homeschooler will care less about perfect penmanship and more about creativity and imagination. She’ll look for areas of unique…
When it comes to typology, it’s always nice to focus on our strengths rather than the weaknesses. After all, it’s a lot more impressive to share an article of ourselves that pinpoints our unique abilities than one that shows our embarrassing failures and flaws. This article will likely get shared a lot less than an…
Have you ever wondered which fictional characters have your Myers-Briggs® personality type? Today we’re going to explore the types of over three hundred fictional characters! This can give you an idea of how your personality type might show up in different situations or at different levels of maturity. Let’s get started! Not sure what your…
Can your Myers-Briggs® type give any indication about the type of fashion you like to wear? Which type is the most likely to wear a suit? Which type is most likely to wear athletic clothes? While everyone is unique and there will always be exceptions, certain trends tend to show up more frequently in some…
Ever wondered how each of the Myers-Briggs® personality types shows up when they lose their temper? Over the last ten years, I’ve spoken with hundreds of different people about the issue of anger. While I believe it has more to do with enneagram type than Myers-Briggs® personality type, there are some distinct patterns that seem…
Since our Myers-Briggs® types describe the ways our minds work, it makes sense that people who share a personality type might have similar interests. Even though everyone is a unique individual with their own preferences for how to spend their down-time, you’ll often see people with the same type enjoy similar hobbies. For today’s post,…
I’ve been a fan of musical theater even longer than I’ve been into personality types. For some reason, though, I hadn’t thought about putting the two interests together until Susan asked me to write “Here’s the Broadway Song You’d Be, Based On Your Myers-Briggs® Personality Type.” Today’s follow-up post is about specific characters from Broadway…
Over the last few months, I’ve become fascinated by the world of anime. My 14-year-old daughter can be thanked for this. Initially I thought I’d have zero interest in it. After all, I’m not a big fan of “cartoons.” But as I sat by my daughter through hours of “My Hero Academia” and then “Demon…
Summer can be a magical time filled with pool trips, popsicles, and 4th of July fireworks. At the same time, it can be a season of overwhelm, interruptions, and incessant repetitions of “I’m bored. What can I do?” Today we’re going to look at some survival techniques for each of the 16 Myers-Briggs® personality types….
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy at least one type of music. Music speaks to us in a way few other things do, and for some of us that’s especially true of songs from Broadway plays. I’ve been a fan of musical theater as far back as I can remember; probably from…
Ever wondered if you were REALLY an INFP? Do you ever worry that you’ve been mistyped by an inaccurate online test? Do you ever feel like Myers-Briggs is just plain confusing? I’m here to help! Take a look at these 24 experiences or feelings that INFPs relate to! How many do you relate to? Let…
Not sure what your personality type is? Take our new personality questionnaire here. Or you can take the official MBTI® here. The ENFP – Nit-Pickers You’ve just got an amazing idea and you can’t wait to share it with the world. Then there’s that individual who just has to pick it apart and pull out…
The ENFP Father The ENFP dad wants to know you on a sincere level. Write a hand-written letter, make a piece of art (they won’t care if it’s “perfect”), make a mix tape of songs that remind you of him. Random gifts are also exciting for this dad! Show up in the middle of the…
The current state of our world is troubling to nearly all of us right now. From inequality to isolation to mass illness, there is a lot of pain and confusion in the hearts of people everywhere. Whether you’re protesting and returning home feeling exhausted, or maybe you’re emotionally drained by the corruption you see everywhere….
Have you ever felt torn between being an INFJ or an INFP personality type? Because these types often mistype as each other, it can be easy to get confused! After all, most tests focus primarily on the letter dichotomies (I/E, S/N, T/F, J/P) so a slight preference for J or P could alter your personality…
In our country right now there is an abundance of pain, anger, frustration, sickness, and desperation. Corruption, racism, and a growing illness are all causing chaotic amounts of stress for people worldwide. Today I want to look at some of the ways that each of the Myers-Briggs® personality types reaches out to others and lends…
Let’s get real nerdy. Cognitive function level nerdy. When first describing type, Carl Jung coined the terms Objective and Subjective to distinguish between extroversion and introversion. “Introverted and extroverted types. When we consider the course of human life, we see how the fate of one individual is determined more by the objects of his interest,…
When Susan reached out and asked me to write a guest post about the Myers-Briggs® Types of Star Wars characters, I immediately pulled up my soundtrack playlist and started writing. After all, I’ve been a Star Wars fan for as long as I can remember and I have a whole blog devoted to typing Star…
ENFP Complying immediately when your partner tells you to do an unpleasant job in an authoritarian manner. Turning off the lights, laying in bed, and instantly falling asleep without getting distracted by thoughts. Following the rules without wondering why they’re there in the first place. ENTP Not stating your opinion when you strongly disagree with…
Have you ever been watching “Game of Thrones” and wondered which hero (or villain) of Westeros you would be? Today we’re going to explore the Myers-Briggs® personality types of some of the more notable characters in this series. I hope you enjoy this! Here’s the Game of Thrones Character You’d Be, Based On Your Myers-Briggs®…
The ENFP – Find the possibilities in it Everyone needs to strap into their seatbelts because… Your mind comes alive during uncertainty. Some of your solutions will be off the wall (“Hey! Maybe this hairbrush will solve all our problems!”) Other solutions will be perplexingly ingenious. You handle uncertainty better than many other types because…
Right now in our country (and around the world) people are filled with uncertainty and worry. Unfortunately, this can rub off onto our children! INFP children are especially sensitive to disharmony and internal distress. How can we keep them calm and occupied during this unsettled time? That’s what I want to explore with you today!…
“Little Fires Everywhere” is the Hulu show that’s taking the world by storm. This epic drama involves some heart-wrenching personality clashes that reveal the stark differences between how people process information. The show also shines a light on racism, privilege, the pain and joy of motherhood, and more. In this article, we’ll explore the Myers-Briggs®…
“The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds.” – Dalai Lama Do you know you’re an INFP, but you feel like certain facets of your type description aren’t quite relatable? If you’re an INFP Nine, you may be more focused on…
Do you ever wonder which big-screen icons have your personality type? Have you ever felt a special kinship with a particular actor or actress? Today we’re going to explore 16 movie stars and their rumored Myers-Briggs® personality types. If you’re cooped up at home and looking for something to do, you can check out their…
With all of us stuck at home for the time being, what are some ways you can liven up your evenings? Rather than scrolling through Netflix without direction, check out these recommendations based on your Myers-Briggs® personality type! Not sure what your personality type is? Take our new personality questionnaire here. Or you can take…
The thing about being cooped up at home is — no one likes it. Even the types that are introverted don’t like it as much as they thought they would. Each person is going to react very differently to the current crisis depending on their Myers-Briggs® personality type, and when you stop freaking out about…
When it comes to personality type, there are literally no two people who are exactly the same. You might perceive the world using the same functions or share attributes with other feeling or thinking types, but no one can completely replicate you. One of the reasons there can be such drastic differences between people of…
How to Tell if Someone Likes You, Based On Their Myers-Briggs® Personality Type Ever wondered what each personality type does when they like someone? Today let’s explore the tactics and strategies that each personality type uses when they have a crush on someone! Keep in mind, each individual is totally unique and this will only…
Right now the world is in a stage of panic and anxiety. Everyone is having a really rough time trying to stay calm. If you’re stuck in your home with a significant other or family member that you dearly love, but is starting to lose their cool in a way that confuses you, here are…
I love the show Bojack Horseman, a weird off-the-wall animated sitcom about a self-loathing, alcoholic anthropomorphic horse who is also a has-been Hollywood star. It’s not every day that you find yourself relating so viscerally to someone who looks like nothing like you — mostly, because he’s, well, a horse. Many skeptics question this show’s…
When it comes to your Myers-Briggs® personality type, we tend to explain the terms in a very clinical, cold sense. Today I wanted to use more imagery to describe the cognitive functions. I wanted to describe them at their best, in a way that (hopefully) will create a picture in people’s minds of what they…
Over the past few weeks, remote work has become the ‘new normal’ for people across the globe. Many professionals and students are having to drastically change their routines and adjust their expectations when it comes to work. Shifting from slacks and conference rooms to pajamas and coffee table Zoom meetings may initially sound like an…
Life right now is extremely stressful for people all over the world. I keep hoping that I’ll wake up and realize that some of the chaos erupting right now will just have been a bad dream. But in the midst of all this disruption and uncertainty, we can strive to calm our minds and spirits…
The ENFP You try to ignore the fact that you have a body and consider yourself a walking and talking imagination. You go about your day, occasionally puzzling over why you’re not in the greatest mood or ideas seem more out of reach than usual. Eventually you pass out on the couch while watching random…
Quiet but intense, the INFP and INTJ relationship is one where loyalty runs deep and ideas branch out in many directions. Both of these personality types share a passion for ideas and non-conformist ideals. Both find that their mind’s come alive in the quiet and peace of their alone time. However, when they’re together they…
Each of us has blind spots and areas in our lives that we tend to forget to take care of. Whether it’s self-care, rest, asking for help, or believing in our capabilities! This article will shed some light on something that each type needs to remember to succeed more fully in the life they have…