small.wonder
So she did.
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2013
- Messages
- 965
- Enneagram
- 4w5
- Instinctual Variant
- sx/so
Last night a tragic thing happened and I wonder if my reaction to it might help discern which type I am (between INFJ, INFP and INTJ). I've been skeptical of my testing as INFJ as soon I realized how many people test as, and believe they are this "most rare" type. That and I don't fit some of the characteristics-- I am confrontational for the most part, and though I like to help people it's not a major component of my life.
So back to last night. My 15 year old, totally healthy, farm cat was attacked by my larger breed dog and we ended up having to put him down (the broken jaw he sustained would have been too much for him to recover from). This cat was the only cat I have ever loved, he essentially thought he was a dog, would come if you called him and was such a personable, awesome animal. My entire family loved him, it was a rough night to say the least. I should also say, this is the third incident my family has endured of violence between animals that ended in a visit to an emergency room. We're pretty jaded.
My Mom (who we think is an ESFJ, e2) was absolutely devastated, she cried, was very outwardly emotional and blamed herself. Even today she has been quiet, talking intermittently about him (the cat) and tearing up.
I on the other hand only cried a little, and was otherwise calm. I felt a lot of empathy for my cat, but I also am able to think clearly. I felt upset, angry and hurt but I just don't portray it outwardly in the same way as my Mom. I talk or write to express my emotions, they run extremely deep but I usually don't get hysterical. I have cried when talking one on one, or alone thinking/writing about something that has hurt me, but still not the hysterical hiccup kind (though I did do that in my teens). I can also get past things really quickly, like today (though I miss our cat) I was okay to actually treat today like Independence day. Even after an argument I move on immediately, which sometimes is frustrating/surprising to others. My Mom on the other hand usually needs to process an argument and have space/time to work through it on her own.
Does that say anything about my type? I think it points more to introverted feeling, but I'm only newly learning/understanding the functions.
One thing I just realized: it's only grief/sadness that I don't express outwardly. Anger, joy or other emotions are very outward expressions for me. Huh.
I'm totally open to thoughts or questions, thanks! -^_^-
So back to last night. My 15 year old, totally healthy, farm cat was attacked by my larger breed dog and we ended up having to put him down (the broken jaw he sustained would have been too much for him to recover from). This cat was the only cat I have ever loved, he essentially thought he was a dog, would come if you called him and was such a personable, awesome animal. My entire family loved him, it was a rough night to say the least. I should also say, this is the third incident my family has endured of violence between animals that ended in a visit to an emergency room. We're pretty jaded.
My Mom (who we think is an ESFJ, e2) was absolutely devastated, she cried, was very outwardly emotional and blamed herself. Even today she has been quiet, talking intermittently about him (the cat) and tearing up.
I on the other hand only cried a little, and was otherwise calm. I felt a lot of empathy for my cat, but I also am able to think clearly. I felt upset, angry and hurt but I just don't portray it outwardly in the same way as my Mom. I talk or write to express my emotions, they run extremely deep but I usually don't get hysterical. I have cried when talking one on one, or alone thinking/writing about something that has hurt me, but still not the hysterical hiccup kind (though I did do that in my teens). I can also get past things really quickly, like today (though I miss our cat) I was okay to actually treat today like Independence day. Even after an argument I move on immediately, which sometimes is frustrating/surprising to others. My Mom on the other hand usually needs to process an argument and have space/time to work through it on her own.
Does that say anything about my type? I think it points more to introverted feeling, but I'm only newly learning/understanding the functions.
One thing I just realized: it's only grief/sadness that I don't express outwardly. Anger, joy or other emotions are very outward expressions for me. Huh.
I'm totally open to thoughts or questions, thanks! -^_^-