The Myers-Briggs Test evaluates people based on 4 different groups of personality traits: introversion vs extroversion, sensing vs intuition, thinking vs feeling, and judging vs perceiving. Based on research in personality theory done by Carl Jung, the mother-daughter pair that invented this test believed that most people’s personalities can be condensed into 16 different types. The INFJ is thought to be the rarest type, making up only about 1-3% of the world’s population. I became extremely interested with this test when I discovered that I, myself, am an INFJ and because we’re so rare, a lot of people find us confusing to be around. So, if you ever find yourself around a friend who has these qualities, he or she may very well be the rare breed of INFJ.
1. We can smell a liar from a mile away
Don’t even try to lie to me because I will always know whether you are telling the truth or not. Sometimes, just to humor someone, I pretend that I believe the bullshit, but I don’t. Everyone is transparent to me.
2. Yet, we’re great liars
I tell people all the time that I am a terrible liar, yet that in fact, is a lie. Sure, I can’t lie very well about trivial stuff like if I ate the last donut (because the answer is always yes), but I have actually lied to people about pretty serious things and they thought I was telling the truth.
3. We plan everything
I am not someone who likes to “just see how things go”. I need a plan. Sometimes this annoys my friends because I always have to make sure we plan out what time, where, and who’s driving in order to do anything days in advance before it can happen.
4. We need time to recharge
I love being alone, and for some reason that sounds sad to most people. Don’t get me wrong, I love hanging out with other people too, but for short bursts of time. If I’m in large groups for too long I find myself getting tired and ornery and then no one has a good time at that point.
5. We can be ruthless
We are one of the most emotional and sensitive types there are, but we are also known for being quite heartless when it is needed. This is a phenomenon called the “INFJ Door Slam” where a person has been hurt by someone so badly that they completely cut them off from his or her life, kind of like ghosting in a way. I have only done this a few times in my life, and always when I feel like I have no other choice.
6. We feel a lot of things
I cry about everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. That’s often because I feel emotions 10x stronger than other people do. When I’m happy, I’m super happy, but when I’m sad, I’m at risk for depression. INFJ’s are one of the types to most likely be diagnosed with a mood disorder at least once in their lives.
7. We want to do something great with our lives
INFJ’s are known for feeling like they are destined for something greater in life. Adolf Hitler was an INFJ type and so was Gandhi, both changed the course of history forever, but for different reasons. That’s why the INFJ is so complicated, we can take the path of good or evil in the blink of an eye.
8. We are a massive contradiction
INFJ’s are known for being the most extroverted of the introverted types. We love to be around people and often crave it, but there is a very thin line between too little social interaction and too much. Too little and we will feel neglected and lonely, but too much and we become overwhelmed.
9. We can blend in
Because we are massive contradictions, we also are talented at pretending to be something that we are not. Often times, an INFJ can belong to multiple different social groups because he or she can have so many different facades.
10. We are passionate about what we love
Don’t ever try to stand in the way of an INFJ and his or her dream because you will be run over.
