The Loneliness of Each Myers-Briggs® Personality Type

Have you ever been surrounded by people and still felt completely alone?

Loneliness isn’t always about having an empty house, eating dinner by yourself, or spending Friday night without plans. Sometimes it’s sitting in a room full of people who don’t really know you. Sometimes it’s feeling like you have to hide the parts of yourself that matter most. Sometimes it’s realizing that everyone around you is speaking the same language, yet somehow you’re still being misunderstood.

While every human being experiences loneliness, we don’t all experience it for the same reasons. The things that make an ENFP feel isolated aren’t necessarily the things that make an ISTJ feel isolated. Some people long to share ideas. Others long to share experiences, memories, dreams, or values. Understanding these differences can help you make sense of your own loneliness and recognize what kind of connection you’re actually craving.

As you read through the descriptions below, notice which one resonates most deeply with you. You might also gain new insight into a spouse, child, friend, or family member whose loneliness has always seemed different from your own.

Not sure what your personality type is? Take our personality questionnaire here. Or you can take the official MBTI® here.

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

ENFP Loneliness

“If one’s different, one’s bound to be lonely.” – Alduous Huxley

Because Extraverted Intuition (Ne) is constantly exploring new possibilities while Introverted Feeling (Fi) longs to live authentically, ENFPs often feel loneliest when they’re pressured to suppress their individuality in order to belong. Curiosity and imagination are dear to the hearts of these types and they rarely fit a cookie-cutter mold of what’s traditional or “normal.” When ENFPs are pressured to alter themselves for the wishes of others, to put on a mask, or say or do the “right” things rather than what’s authentic, they feel lonely and unappreciated. For the ENFP, having space to be genuine and follow their own path is crucial. Situations that make ENFPs feel like they have to follow particular social rules in order to be accepted make them feel depleted and depressed.

For the ENFP reading this: Have you ever hidden part of yourself just to fit in? What happened when you finally stopped pretending?

Some tips:

• Reach out to someone who makes you feel accepted exactly as you are.
• Start a creative project you’ve been putting off, even if you only spend fifteen minutes on it.
• Notice one situation where you’re shrinking yourself to fit in, and experiment with doing the opposite.
• Share one unconventional idea with someone you trust.

Read This Next: Dealing with Emotional Overwhelm as an ENFP

ENTP Loneliness

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” – Henry David Thoreau

ENTPs feel lonely when their ideas and theories are dismissed without proper respect.  When they are stuck in highly structured, traditional atmospheres they can feel like their natural innovative tendencies are squashed. They crave experimentation, exploration, and intellectual thought-swapping. They also enjoy warm, easy interactions with people who have a good sense of humor. When the world seems at odd with their naturally curious and anti-authoritarian nature then ENTPs feel lonely and stifled.

For the ENTP reading this: Do you ever feel lonely even when you’re surrounded by people because no one wants to explore ideas with you?

Some tips:

• Find someone who enjoys debating ideas and schedule a conversation with them.
• Instead of keeping your latest idea in your head, write it down or share it with someone.
• Pick one fascinating question and spend an hour exploring it just for fun.
• Resist the urge to dismiss small talk immediately and see if you can guide it into a deeper discussion.
• Encourage someone else’s curiosity today.

INFP Loneliness

“It’s easy to stand in the crowd, but it takes courage to stand alone.” – Mahatma Gandhi

INFPs often feel lonely because their ideals are so unique and personal to them. Introverted Feeling (Fi) gives INFPs deeply personal ideals, while Extraverted Intuition (Ne) continually imagines how life could be different, making it especially painful when no one seems to understand the world they carry inside. They often feel that people don’t “get” them or that their dreams are too big for this world. They crave a world of compassion, imagination, and beauty. They often have mental utopias that they’ve envisioned since childhood. INFPs often talk about feeling lonely in the sense that they see possibilities and futures that nobody else thinks are possible. They often feel alone in their need to live up to their personal values and hopes for a better world.

For the INFP reading this: Have you ever felt homesick for a world that doesn’t exist?

Some tips:

• Share one dream you’ve been protecting with someone you trust.
• Spend thirty minutes creating something only because it feels meaningful.
• Look for one small way to make the world reflect your ideals a little more.
• Let someone see a part of yourself you usually keep hidden.

Read This Next: Dealing with Emotional Overwhelm as an INFP

INTP Loneliness

“The thing that makes you exceptional, if you are at all, is inevitably that which makes you lonely.” – Lorraine Hansberry

INTPs often feel lonely because their intellect is overlooked due to their quiet, reserved nature. Analysis, skepticism, and a thirst for knowledge are defining qualities of the INTP type, but many people simply want social charisma, charm, and easy chit-chat. INTPs long to find like-minded companions who can swap ideas with them, explore theories, debate, or critique. They don’t want to have to put on a social mask in order to blend in to society, but they often feel that that’s what’s demanded of them.

For the INTP reading this: Do you ever feel like people overlook your thoughts because you’re quieter than others?

Some tips:

• Reach out to someone who enjoys thoughtful conversations.
• Read about a topic you’ve been curious about and discuss it with someone afterward.
• Share one theory or observation you’ve been keeping to yourself.
• Instead of assuming people won’t understand, give someone the chance.
• Ask someone an unusually thoughtful question today.

Read This Next: 10 Things That Excite the INTP Personality Type

ENFJ Loneliness

“Every single human being who is alive has felt this kind of pain, hopelessness, and loneliness at one time or another. We are all connected through this shared pain and struggle.” – Leo Babauta

Extraverted Feeling (Fe) naturally seeks meaningful connection while Introverted Intuition (Ni) searches for purpose, so ENFJs often experience loneliness less as being alone and more as lacking relationships that feel deeply significant. They want to know that their life has had a positive impact on others. If they look at their accomplishments and can’t see how those have helped others, then they will feel lonely and lost. If they have nobody to share their heart with during these moments, they’ll feel even worse. Loneliness for the ENFJ is more about a lack of meaning than a lack of presence. It’s about a lack of deep relationships more than a lack of mere people. ENFJs crave raw, authentic, life-giving bonds and they want to share those with others as well.

For the ENFJ reading this: Do you spend more time taking care of other people’s hearts than letting someone care for yours?

Some tips:

• Let someone help you instead of automatically helping them.
• Tell someone honestly how you’re doing before asking about them.
• Spend time with someone who leaves you feeling energized rather than drained.
• Say no to one obligation that exists only because you feel guilty.
• Remind yourself that your worth isn’t measured by how much you do for others.

Read This Next: ENFJs, INFJs and Empathy Burnout

ENTJ Loneliness

“If you are alone you belong entirely to yourself. If you are accompanied by even one companion you belong only half to yourself or even less in proportion to the thoughtlessness of his conduct and if you have more than one companion you will fall more deeply into the same plight.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Even though ENTJs are extroverts, they don’t tend to fight being alone in the same way that other extroverts do. ENTJs like the focus they’re able to achieve in their quiet moments when no one else is demanding any of their attention. But at the same time, they feel lonely when their goals and dreams aren’t shared by others. When they work hard to achieve benchmarks but it makes no difference to anyone. They feel lonely when their goals and values are misunderstood and no one even has the wherewithal to discuss or even debate them. ENTJs crave connection over intellectual matters, theories, and an understanding of life itself. They’re lonely when their relationships remain in shallow waters, and when their companions run off to shore whenever things get deep.

For the ENTJ reading this: Do you ever feel lonely because most conversations never get beneath the surface?

Some tips:

• Celebrate one accomplishment instead of immediately moving to the next challenge.
• Ask someone for their perspective instead of assuming you need to solve everything alone.
• Spend time with someone who enjoys discussing ideas rather than logistics.
• Make time for one meaningful conversation this week.

INFJ Loneliness

“A great fire burns within me, but no one stops to warm themselves at it, and passers-by only see a wisp of smoke.” – Vincent Van Gogh

INFJs feel lonely when they lack friendships where true authenticity is possible. Even though they are introverts, INFJs often have intense and fiery passions and dreams that lie restless inside their hearts. They crave friendships where they can let these passions out, discuss their feelings both good and bad, and explore their dreams and visions. However, the world is often a place where such passions are kept hidden. Many people would rather discuss day-to-day details and small talk than get into the weightier matters of life. INFJs in the social world often feel like square pegs being shoved into round holes – or, sometimes worse, they feel completely invisible. They crave fellow dreamers and idealists who can share the passions of their hearts with them and meet them in a judgment-free zone.

For the INFJ reading this: When was the last time you felt completely understood?

Some tips:

• Reach out to the person you feel safest being yourself around.
• Ask someone a question that goes beyond small talk.
• Journal about something you’ve been carrying alone.
• Share one dream or conviction you’ve kept hidden.
• Spend time in an environment that helps you reconnect with yourself.

Read This Next: 24 Signs You’re an INFJ, the Mystic Personality Type

INTJ Loneliness

“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” – Blaise Pascal

INTJs tend to enjoy a great deal of alone time and autonomy. But like anyone, they also crave meaningful bonds. To the INTJ, finding a “mind mate” is something they’ve always longed for. They also enjoy the company of people who have shared values and causes for which they are willing to fight. When INTJs have neither of these things they feel lonely and their causes and purposes seem lackluster. People are quick to judge the INTJ’s rather stoic demeanor without realizing that underneath is someone with a huge heart for truth, wisdom, and authenticity. Many INTJs enjoy the company of xxFP personality types who can respect their personal space while helping them explore ways to pursue their deeper inner values and heartfelt desires.

For the INTJ reading this: Do you ever find yourself craving deeper conversations but avoiding small talk that might lead to them?

Some tips:

• Start one conversation about something you’re genuinely passionate about.
• Let someone see a little more warmth than you normally reveal.
• Reach out to someone whose mind you respect.
• Spend time with someone who challenges your thinking.

Read This Next: 10 Things That Excite the INTJ

ESFP Loneliness

“I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.” – Hafiz of Persia

ESFPs feel lonely when they feel trapped, put upon, or managed. In freedom, ESFPs find joy, connection, and inspiration. Having to abide by cookie-cutter societal roles and having their time rigidly structured makes ESFPs feel not only frustrated but isolated. In freedom, ESFPs can feel unleashed and able to express themselves without restraint. Through shared experiences, adventures, and humor ESFPs are able to forge genuine bonds with others. ESFPs feel lonely when they don’t have the freedom to bare their souls without judgment. ESFPs also feel lonely when their friends expect them to be “the life of the party” all the time only to disappear when things get hard.

For the ESFP reading this: Have you ever felt lonely because people expected you to entertain them rather than know you?

Some tips:

• Invite someone on an adventure, even if it’s something simple.
• Tell a trusted friend how you’re really doing instead of keeping things light.
• Spend time doing something that makes you feel fully alive.
• Say yes to an experience you’ve been postponing.
• Let someone see the deeper side of you.

ESTP Loneliness

“We’re all islands shouting lies to each other across seas of misunderstanding.” – Rudyard Kipling

ESTPs are unusual extroverts in that they enjoy people but hate chit-chat and small talk. These types would rather play video games, go boating, or engage in sports with their friends than sit around talking. Many adult ESTPs feel like the world around them is stagnating and people are moving in slow motion. The youthful years of excitement and action are swapped for sedentary lifestyles of work, talk, and zombie-like phone addiction. When ESTPs can’t find anyone to experience life with in a real, raw, thrilling way, they feel lonely and depressed. They don’t want to give up the action, experience, and beauty of youth just because they’ve hit adulthood.

For the ESTP reading this: Have you noticed that doing something together connects you more than simply talking?

Some tips:

• Replace one hour of scrolling with a real-world experience.
• Reach out to a friend you’ve lost touch with.
• Plan something spontaneous this week.
• Share an experience with someone instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity.

ISFP Loneliness

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

For the ISFP, loneliness comes when they feel their loved ones are trying to mold them into someone else. When they don’t feel accepted for who they are, or when they feel pressured to be a copycat of another person, then they feel lost and anxious. ISFPs can tolerate casual friendships, but what they truly crave is someone with whom they can share their innermost thoughts and desires. Someone who cares about the dark as well as the light side of them and doesn’t try to push them to conform with peer pressure or trends. ISFPs feel lonely when they have to socialize around a lot of people who don’t actually know or understand them. Busy social settings with shallow acquaintances can make them feel desperately alone and empty. Being alone or in the company of one true friend is always preferable to crowds of disingenuous, pushy, or uninterested faces.

For the ISFP reading this: What part of yourself do you wish more people took the time to understand?

Some tips:

• Express yourself creatively today, even if no one else sees it.
• Spend time with someone who accepts you without trying to change you.
• Say no to one situation where you feel pressured to be someone else.
• Share something personal with someone you’ve learned to trust.
• Spend time in nature and reconnect with yourself.

Read This Next: 24 Signs That You’re an ISFP, the Virtuoso Personality Type

ISTP Loneliness

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect).” – Mark Twain

ISTPs feel lonely when their lives are devoid of warmth and tenderness. While they may appear tough and dauntless on the outside, on the inside they still yearn for connection and loyal friendships. They enjoy friendships where laughs are shared and adventures are pursued in tandem. They want to be able to share the thrills of life, both large and small, with others. Yet at the same time, they don’t feel like putting on a mask in order to impress or win others over. They don’t want to deal with all the social niceties and meaningless rituals that many people subscribe to in order to find companionship. They want to casually and organically meet people who have the same thirst for adventure and experience as they do.

For the ISTP reading this: Do you connect more easily through shared experiences than long conversations?

Some tips:

• Invite a friend to do something hands-on together.
• Share something personal instead of keeping everything to yourself.
• Let someone help you with something, even if you could do it yourself.
• Do something that makes you feel alive, then tell someone about the experience and invite them with you next time.

ESFJ Loneliness

“Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” – Mother Teresa

ESFJs want to feel that their efforts are making a difference in the lives of their communities and loved ones. Relationship-centered and nurturing, ESFJs are naturally attuned to group needs and values. They’re often the first to ask if someone in the room needs a drink, a snack, or any other comfort. For the ESFJ, loneliness occurs when they have no one to discuss their day-to-day lives. They crave rich, familiar relationships where they can lavish their natural nurturing tendencies on others. When their efforts are dismissed or treated with suspicion they feel terribly crestfallen. And when they have no one to share those small yet beautiful life experiences with, they can feel like their life lacks meaning or purpose. From comfortable chit-chat to raw, intimate conversations – life is about connection and sharing for this type.

For the ESFJ reading this: Do you ever feel like people notice everything you do except how much effort it takes?

Some tips:

• Let someone take care of you today.
• Tell someone how much you appreciate them without expecting anything in return.
• Ask for help before you become overwhelmed.
• Spend time with someone who notices your efforts.
• Do something that fills your own cup before filling everyone else’s.

ESTJ Loneliness

“The opposite of loneliness is not togetherness, it’s intimacy.” – Richard Bach

ESTJs feel lonely when they are misunderstood or taken for granted. ESTJs are known for being direct, forthright, and work-oriented. People like this are often misjudged as being “harsh” or intimidating. Yet ESTJs, just like other thinking types, are as capable of kindness and as in need of warmth as any of the 16 personality types. ESTJs want to share their stories with others, and they want to help others and be helped. They often take on a lot of responsibilities naturally, but they feel alone when their efforts are minimized or taken for granted. While they may struggle to convey their deeper feelings of affection and warmth, they hope that others see their actions and the compassion and motivations behind those actions.

For the ESTJ reading this: Have you ever felt misunderstood because people judged your tone instead of your intentions?

Some tips:

• Tell someone you appreciate them without attaching advice or a solution.
• Ask someone for help with something small.
• Share one feeling instead of immediately discussing the problem.
• Thank someone who has supported you.
• Pause long enough to celebrate progress instead of focusing only on what remains.

ISFJ Loneliness

“The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It’s the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.” – Lois Lowry

ISFJs want to recall warm memories with others and share feelings and thoughts in a safe, accepting atmosphere. These types aren’t looking for shallow, polite acquaintances as much as they want a handful of kindred spirits. Without familiarity and a safe space to share both good and bad feelings, ISFJs feel lonely. They want to revisit memories, plan out yearly traditions, and discuss in detail their plans and daily activities. They need the comfort that comes from a relationship that has reached a depth and authenticity that only time can give. Forming new friendships can be scary for the ISFJ, but with patience and practice they tend to find friendships in places that revolve around their interests. Church, book groups, yoga class, or any other number of repeatable activities can help them to find the companionship and familiarity they crave.

For the ISFJ reading this: Which memory always reminds you that you truly belong somewhere?

Some tips:

• Reach out to an old friend you’ve been thinking about.
• Start one new tradition with someone you love.
• Join a group centered around one of your interests.
• Share a favorite memory with someone who was part of it.
• Let yourself be known a little more than feels comfortable.

Read This Next: 24 Signs That You’re an ISFJ, the Protector Personality Type

ISTJ Loneliness

“I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people that make you feel alone.” – Robin Williams

ISTJs feel lonely when they have no one with whom they share familiar bonds and life stories. Often reserved and private, they’re usually hesitant to share themselves freely with people they’ve just met. These types crave stability and familiarity, and when there are no longstanding friends or loved ones around they can become anxious about getting to know new people. It’s only with practice and shared experiences that they eventually get comfortable with others which is why many ISTJs I’ve spoken to have met friends through classes, church groups, or other repeatable activities oriented towards shared interests or values.

For the ISTJ reading this: What makes someone earn your trust enough to become a close friend?

Some tips:

• Reconnect with someone who has shared part of your life’s journey.
• Join a recurring activity where friendships can grow naturally over time.
• Invite someone to coffee instead of waiting for them to make the first move.
• Share a story from your past that matters to you.
• Give a new friendship enough time to develop before deciding it won’t work.

Read This Next: 24 Signs That You’re an ISTJ, the “Detective” Personality Type

What Are Your Thoughts?

Do you agree with this article? Disagree? Share your thoughts with other readers in the comments!

Find out more about your personality type in our eBooks, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type,  The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic, and The INFP – Understanding the Dreamer. You can also connect with me via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!