INFP
To most people these letters don't mean much, at least not in this order. But for some, these letters give them access to my life, to my personality. These letters represent my Myers Briggs test results. Using these letters, a person with any background in psychology, or anybody who has taken the test before can determine a lot about who I am.
I - Introvert.
Introverts are often portrayed as bookworms who may appear to be socially awkward and don't like to be around big groups of people. In some cases, this is a perfect example, but in most cases it is very inaccurate. Being an introvert only means that I gain energy from being alone. I can handle big groups of people, but when it comes to "recharging" alone time is the way to go.
N - iNtuitive
Intuitive people are seen as abstract thinkers, somebody who is idealistic rather than practical. As an intuitive person this is often shown in the sense that I like to think of the possibilities of a scenario. I don't necessarily look at what is happening at the given moment, but I look ahead to what I can potentially create.
F - Feeling
I think with my heart. There is no other way to describe this. If a matter comes down to a logical solution or one that will make my heart happy, the heart will win every time. This is a blessing and a curse in many ways. I'll be the first to admit that it is very easy to manipulate a person who is ruled by their emotions. That being said, it doesn't have to be a weakness. I'm passionate about life, and I wouldn't have it any other way!
P - Perceiving
I like to describe this as being "whimsical"; in reality it really means that I rarely have a plan. Perceiving people are often disorganized and "keep their options open". This can lead to some interesting situations, like writing a ten page college essay two hours before it's due (which I've definitely never done before). I've learned to go with the flow and that having a set plan isn't always worth it.
All that being said, I'd like to take a moment to focus on the Introvert vs. Extrovert stereotypes.
Introverts may be seen as timid and shy, and extroverts may be thought of as loud and obnoxious, but you can be both.
When I was taking my Myers Briggs test, there were many of the letters that were definitely geared towards me. I was almost 100 percent feeling rather than thinking, and just by observing my schoolwork anyone could tell you I was geared more towards the perceiving end of the spectrum. However, when it came to being an introvert or an extrovert, it was pretty much 50-50.
I would consider myself an extroverted introvert. This might sound ridiculous to some people, but I believe that many people have traits from both of these categories. In many cases (mine included) a person enjoys crowds, but does not gain energy from being in large groups.
As an introvert I would like to assume I am not as socially awkward as introverts are often portrayed in movies or tv shows. Introverts aren't usually the main characters of shows, and if they are it is based on their amazing story of overcoming their awkwardness and developing into an outgoing people person.
With most introverted people, it doesn't effect how they interact with other people. Sometimes they are just as outgoing as extroverts, they just express themselves differently. They can be around large groups of people and interact in the same way, the only difference is that instead of gaining energy from these large groups they find them draining.
Being an extroverted introvert has its struggles. People often assume you're just an extrovert. The problem is that as time wears on, your introverted ways sink in and you just want to curl up on your own and re-energize. That being said, the life of an extroverted introvert can be draining, but it can also be the best of both worlds.
