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[NT] Pacing

VagrantFarce

Active member
Joined
Nov 19, 2008
Messages
1,558
Anyone else find themselves pacing up and down while thinking? I do it almost instinctively when an interesting idea pops in my head, and my housemates always find it a bit unnerving when I'm pacing up and down on the second floor looking at the carpet. Once I was living in a tiny dorm when at University, and I found it particularly frustrating since I couldn't pace up and down quite as easily as I could at home! It just helps me concentrate for some reason, and I always find it comforting. I think it's the same thing as taking a walk when there's no one around, like early in the morning or late at night. I can just think without anyone potentially interfering.

Confirm to me that I'm not wierd please. :nerd: Aimless thinking is an absolute good, yes?
 

Helios

Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2008
Messages
273
MBTI Type
INTP
When I am thinking particularly hard, or, bizarrely, when I am having conceited thoughts of profound academic success, I pace.
 

ceecee

Coolatta® Enjoyer
Joined
Apr 22, 2008
Messages
15,908
MBTI Type
INTJ
Enneagram
8w9
Yes. I can't sit for more than a few seconds and I'm back to pacing.
 

Matthew_Z

That chalkboard guy
Joined
Jun 15, 2009
Messages
1,256
MBTI Type
xxxx
I've always been a pacer. Keeps the blood flowing to the brain, I suppose. If I'm thinking, I'm pacing, save for maybe a momentary break.
 
G

garbage

Guest
Not usually when thinking, but I do it when lecturing or talking on the phone.
 

thisGuy

New member
Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
1,187
MBTI Type
entp
ya...moving helps

somtimes i put on headphones when doing something redundant and repetetive...i think that and pacing are related

doing something that requires a little thought engages your secondary (primary) functions while the primary (secondary) function can go nuts unhindered...or something like that
 

Verfremdungseffekt

videodrones; questions
Joined
Apr 23, 2009
Messages
866
MBTI Type
INTp
Enneagram
5w4
Yeah, it helps to get the circulation going. Maybe to burn off or divert some of the extra energy, to allow things to more organically shake into place. A walk around the block is often better -- though it can be annoying when everything clicks into place half a block away, and I have to either jog back, trying not to forget anything (at the last moment I will fail due to the concentration involved in unlocking the door or removing my shoes, and be discouraged), or whip out a pad and pen and scribble like a madman.
 

Shimmy

New member
Joined
Jun 9, 2009
Messages
1,867
MBTI Type
SEXY
Yeah I pace a lot. Even when I'm not thinking but just making conversation with friends. Instead of sitting down next to them I usually get up and walk around the room.
 

Matthew_Z

That chalkboard guy
Joined
Jun 15, 2009
Messages
1,256
MBTI Type
xxxx
Yeah I pace a lot. Even when I'm not thinking but just making conversation with friends. Instead of sitting down next to them I usually get up and walk around the room.
And I was starting to think there was no correlation between that habit and MBTI type.
 

Verfremdungseffekt

videodrones; questions
Joined
Apr 23, 2009
Messages
866
MBTI Type
INTp
Enneagram
5w4
That's true for conversation also, yes -- especially on the phone, where I'm less certain and therefore more prone to overthink. I imagine it helps to temper Ti and shift focus to the Ne.

Generally anything I can do to damp down this Ti is to my benefit.
 

Shimmy

New member
Joined
Jun 9, 2009
Messages
1,867
MBTI Type
SEXY
Lol yeah, phone conversations are the worst. I usually start sitting down in my chair, get up and pace around, sit back down again, get back up again etc..
 

Verfremdungseffekt

videodrones; questions
Joined
Apr 23, 2009
Messages
866
MBTI Type
INTp
Enneagram
5w4
Sometimes when I'm intent on explaining something I start moving around randomly, wildly gesticulating, dancing -- in a flurry, even.

I think what it most actively does is it burns off the irritation at my inability to express myself. Which is useful, as that frustration tends to be exactly the material gumming up the bottle neck.
 

Fluffywolf

Nips away your dignity
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
9,581
MBTI Type
INTP
Enneagram
9
Instinctual Variant
sp/sx
I think waaaaay way faster than I am able to talk. So yes. If I don't pace myself, I crash and burn.
 

FDG

pathwise dependent
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Messages
5,903
MBTI Type
ENTJ
Enneagram
7w8
Never, but I exercise a lot, so I rarely have physical energy to "waste". My best thinking is done while laying on the sofa or bed.
 
F

FigerPuppet

Guest
I usually just sit and rock with one of my legs, fast.
 

thisGuy

New member
Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
1,187
MBTI Type
entp
I usually just sit and rock with one of my legs, fast.

shit! that was me in high school and first year of uni...before i started getting the intellectual stimulation that has become a craving
 
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