after doing a bunch of research, i’ve reached the conclusion that i have no idea what type i am. i initially typed as infp, moving on to think i was an enfp (since i thought i was more extroverted than most infps), to deciding i wasn’t an Fi user at all. i’ve done a million tests and quizzes (just for fun–i know they’re not reliable), as well as “typedâ€bless in forums. it’s usually xxFJ/IxFP. (not a thinker, i guess).
(i think a lot of my confusion also comes from not truly understanding the cognitive functions. and i’m 19–which, i’ve been told, is just general confusion.)
regarding the iNtuitive functions:
- i’ve always related to Ne and their “absent-minded†nature. when watching a tv show/movie, i’m never trusted to answer the “what did they say/what happened†question. if i’m not INTENSELY engaged in it, i can literally be staring at it and not retain any information. well, seemingly. in the end i will (probably) understand the movie pretty well, or at times, guess, beforehand, a plot twist.
- i enjoy creative writing, but struggle a lot finishing my works. i don’t particularly have a set idea of how everything will develop, but i always have the key ideas–essentials–possible plot twists in mind, and work to get to them. of course, i never get to them. in true Ne fashion, i have ideas that seem better than the last ones, create new storylines and characters, and basically keep on changing the dynamics of a story. until i give up. i wouldn’t particularly say i'm scatter-brained, although i might have seemingly random ideas, it’s always in relation with something that’s in relation with a whole. all of the ideas i have are always in the same field of ideas, if that makes sense.
- i think i started doubting my Ne usage when i compared myself to my INFP and ENTP friends. i can see different options but they always lead to the same path to me, i have a hard time changing my mind once it’s made up. which takes a lot of time. while my INFP & ENTP friends function by feeding off each others’ ideas and all the possibilities weeee, this is quite overwhelming to me. while for them it's annoying to narrow down the options, for me it's stressful to broaden mine. i prefer to just retreat to myself and re-evaluate by myself, usually opting for what is known to me. if it worked for me last time, it’ll work now, there’s no reason on trying something that could work better, because it could also NOT work–INFP and especially ENTP friend highly disagree. in contrast to them and pointless brainstorming (no offense…), i’m a “let’s make sure this will actually work before we do it†person.
- overall, we function very differently. when solving a "what's the next figure supposed to be" quiz, i come in already knowing that there will be a pattern. i look at all of the pictures at once, this is confirmed. seeing figure by figure, i can figure out the pattern so i can choose the "right" one. INFP saw the first two figures and concluded already, ENTP basically used all of the 3 attempts…
- Ne's are often described as the jumping from thing to thing and (unless it's my writing) i'm usually pretty set on things. my ENTP friend, as the repetitive example, seems to know something about everything, while i, on the other hand, try to know everything about something. when i find something i like, i will dive deeper into that thing and explore it. this also works for the ways we overthink, i've noticed that they envision hundred different ways something can play out, while i envision one way that that something will play out and inside that way i overthink how the situation will escalate. makes sense?
- very not on Ne brand, i'm truly overwhelmed by entirely new topics and changes. it's extremely draining for me to come across something that i can't possibly fit into a whole of somethings that i already know. it fascinates me, but it's mostly tiring and headache inducing. i'll need tiiiimeeeeee to process it, specifically, in a very quiet, somewhat dark place. much like everything, i take a long time to process things as i'm always trying to make a meaning out of it. (this stresses tf out of my Te dad, that would firstly describe me as uNneCesSaRiLy pRoFoUnD.)
- much like Ne and Ni (which is the main reason i think i'm a N), i'm more focused on the future. the past for me is a point of reference. the present? not there. while i’m not particularly a big planner or always prepared for everything type person–if anything, i’m not prepared for any different outcome of what i was sure would happen–, i do have a set plan of what's going to go next. always. i’m always keeping in mind the deadlines, what i’ll do three days from now, how will this play out in the end. being so “future focused†is what makes me so distant and aloof. i’m never particularly paying attention to the immediate and often overlook it.
- Ni for me was always a difficult function to understand. it all sounds like reasonable witchcraft, and while i can say i have "hunches", i can't say if it's in a particularly Ni way. what made me relate more to it was the whole "aha!" concept. once again regarding Ne users, when solving or strategizing something they will keep trying different ways until one works, while i'll, first of all: freeze, and take a long time until "magically" come up with thee way and keep trying that one until it works. when we're solving something together (like the brain it on! game problems) it either goes Ne user telling me "try this" and me going "thought about it, won't work because blablabla" or "haven't thought about that" because i was so focused on different ways--inside a whole. (i also don't particularly like it, because they're out loud guessers, which continuously makes me lose my train of thought.)
- regarding Ni, i'm always why-ing everything. i was one of those kids…
onto the Feeling functions:
- in my "typing" sessions (done by unofficial professionals, fellow members of mbti forums) , i have been described as having high Fi. i am very introspective and can describe myself in a quite "detailed" way. i deeply value individuality, originality and authenticity. (now, this doesn't mean i embody these characteristics. if anything, i'm a social chameleon, that has different personas to each person.i'm definitely a compromiser and pleaser, rather than a stay-true-to-yourself type.)
- it was always hard for me to distinguish whether "putting others before myself" is an Fi value, or Fe. so, comparing myself to the INFP friend again; i often find INFP friend being too informal or casual, while on the other hand i'm always way too conscious of the hierarchy, appropriateness, and what is and isn't acceptable. i've also noticed that she is more firm in her beliefs, while i'm more easily swayed just for the sake of pleasing. when i find myself disagreeing with someone, i get in flight mode and don't want to touch that topic not to reach a discussion, INFP friend will always explain her p.o.v and even try to sway us to the dark side. she is also more unapologetic (on the surface) if someone doesn't like her, she has a "if they don't like my personality, then we aren't meant for each other", while i will "adapt" myself to that person, for the sake of coexisting. doesn't mean that i'll want to be their friends or form a strong bond, it's really just to keep it polite and harmonious. neither of us like criticism (naturally), but we also deal with it on different ways; INFP friend will basically go "well, it's my way, so your opinion doesn't matter" definitely on a more defensive outlet. while, i have no internal reinforcement and will most likely start to question what was pointed out. she'll always keep other in mind, and has never done something that directly affects others, but at the end of the day she puts herself first. while i always want to make everyone happy, even if it doesn't make me happy. in the end for me, what everyone else wants is always what wins. lastly, we are both "come vent to me" people, both good listeners and all that, but when it comes to sympathizing we go about it in different ways. INFP puts herself in others shoes, and if she doesn't relate to what the person done/feels/wtv she will say that. "if it was me". while i can often see the other's side and understand it. which results on me being very forgiving (but not forgetful) and unable to say no to anyone--which is also a general people pleasing trait.
- and to finish the F functions, i'm very confused about my feelings. i only process and/or understand what is it that i feel when i can look back at it as a whole. if i'm going through something, in the moment i can seem not reactive and detached--which in a way i am, as it takes me a long while to actually decide what i feel about it. this also comes along with me having trouble distinguishing whether i'm feeling this or i'm being influenced by everyone else that's feeling this.
- i've done a lot of growth voicing my own opinions, and i always find myself being very agreeable when i'm in a new setting. the more comfortable i get, the more opinionated i get--which isn't a lot too, while i can have a lot of theories about something, i'm more distant in a "do what you want, i'll go along" way.
regarding the Sensing functions:
- regarding the way my sensory input works: i'm easily overwhelmed when i'm surrounded by loud noises or bright lights or intense smells or just crowds. i can't eat food with intense smells (even if they're considered good), and tend to be very picky with my own food, to the point i'm scared of trying different foods--unless i’m pressured to do it, because my mom’s friend cooked it or something. i can't deal with bright or flashing lights, as it makes my eyes water and my head hurt. i can’t wear perfume and hate any type of aromatic spray for the house, as synthetic or intense smells make me dizzy and give me headaches. i can't wear tight or scratchy clothing, and when i do, let's just say it makes me not pleasant. loud sounds get me jumpy and hasty, and i can't stand it for too long before covering my ears like a child. substances like alcohol, weed or caffeine, affect me really easily and always have a really negative effect on me. fireworks are like being on drugs for me, due to all the visual stimulation, and i kind of get overwhelmingly scared (because of the noise).
- i'm not very good with details, i find it quite overwhelming, unless they have a symbolic meaning to me. the way i usually get to details is by noticing something off when looking at the big picture, then i'll analyse small thing to small thing to find what is it that is off.
- i am definitely more of an abstract person, theorizing about why things are they way they are. in fact, it somewhat bores me if i just have to look at something in a simplistic it is what it is way.
- much like Si, i really focus on and appreciate "quality of life", prioritizing aesthetics and feel good activities. especially if i’m put under a stressful situation, i will fall into a completely detached state simply over-indulging on things that make me feel good. food, buying clothes, rewatching my favorite movies. i’ve also noticed that i am a routine follower, not out of efficiency, but for comfort, security, conservation. when it comes to tradition, i do really appreciate it, but if it goes directly against my values, i’ll probably not be as supportive of it. for me tradition is a way of preserving identity.
- when it comes to Se, i think it is the primary response for me. if i see a lamp, it is a lamp, then i’ll relate it to light, which will take me to a more symbolic train of thought. as i have very sensitive senses, i don’t enjoy adrenaline inducing activities. i do enjoy it if it’s relaxing, like gardening or floating on water. i’m quite clumsy and the worst with directions, i can get to places but couldn’t explain how. if i get inside a store, and come out a long time after, i probably won’t know what side i came from previously.
lastly, the Thinking functions:
- as i have somewhat mentioned, i'm a quiet solver that needs to think and rethink before actually doing anything tangible. which leads me again to being quite slow with things. i often question what i'm told (one of the reasons why school was so painful, just sitting there and having to learn how to do thing the way someone else did it) and need to re-evaluate things by myself. of course this isn't always, for the sake of being practical i can just take in whatever it is and do it.
- i don't know exactly how to explain how my thinking works, because i'm not sure if it works at all… if i'm really interested in something i will look how the thing functions. mbti for example, while i received infp initially, i then looked it up why and finding out more about the cognitive functions i came to my own conclusions about each one.
- i don't have a very telling way to explain how my thinking works, but if i can figure out the core of how something works, then i can figure out how everything will derive from that.
i would like to make clear that in no point am i trying to state which way should and shouldn't be done, neither do i mean to generalize the usage of the functions. i am strictly using the examples of the users i've met and using them to compare it to myself--if i only try to see myself in my own interpretation of the functions, it can be quite misleading. (also, INFP and ENTP friends know i'll be putting them on blast, and don't mind.) i'm open to any suggestions and thank you for reading!!!
(i think a lot of my confusion also comes from not truly understanding the cognitive functions. and i’m 19–which, i’ve been told, is just general confusion.)
regarding the iNtuitive functions:
- i’ve always related to Ne and their “absent-minded†nature. when watching a tv show/movie, i’m never trusted to answer the “what did they say/what happened†question. if i’m not INTENSELY engaged in it, i can literally be staring at it and not retain any information. well, seemingly. in the end i will (probably) understand the movie pretty well, or at times, guess, beforehand, a plot twist.
- i enjoy creative writing, but struggle a lot finishing my works. i don’t particularly have a set idea of how everything will develop, but i always have the key ideas–essentials–possible plot twists in mind, and work to get to them. of course, i never get to them. in true Ne fashion, i have ideas that seem better than the last ones, create new storylines and characters, and basically keep on changing the dynamics of a story. until i give up. i wouldn’t particularly say i'm scatter-brained, although i might have seemingly random ideas, it’s always in relation with something that’s in relation with a whole. all of the ideas i have are always in the same field of ideas, if that makes sense.
- i think i started doubting my Ne usage when i compared myself to my INFP and ENTP friends. i can see different options but they always lead to the same path to me, i have a hard time changing my mind once it’s made up. which takes a lot of time. while my INFP & ENTP friends function by feeding off each others’ ideas and all the possibilities weeee, this is quite overwhelming to me. while for them it's annoying to narrow down the options, for me it's stressful to broaden mine. i prefer to just retreat to myself and re-evaluate by myself, usually opting for what is known to me. if it worked for me last time, it’ll work now, there’s no reason on trying something that could work better, because it could also NOT work–INFP and especially ENTP friend highly disagree. in contrast to them and pointless brainstorming (no offense…), i’m a “let’s make sure this will actually work before we do it†person.
- overall, we function very differently. when solving a "what's the next figure supposed to be" quiz, i come in already knowing that there will be a pattern. i look at all of the pictures at once, this is confirmed. seeing figure by figure, i can figure out the pattern so i can choose the "right" one. INFP saw the first two figures and concluded already, ENTP basically used all of the 3 attempts…
- Ne's are often described as the jumping from thing to thing and (unless it's my writing) i'm usually pretty set on things. my ENTP friend, as the repetitive example, seems to know something about everything, while i, on the other hand, try to know everything about something. when i find something i like, i will dive deeper into that thing and explore it. this also works for the ways we overthink, i've noticed that they envision hundred different ways something can play out, while i envision one way that that something will play out and inside that way i overthink how the situation will escalate. makes sense?
- very not on Ne brand, i'm truly overwhelmed by entirely new topics and changes. it's extremely draining for me to come across something that i can't possibly fit into a whole of somethings that i already know. it fascinates me, but it's mostly tiring and headache inducing. i'll need tiiiimeeeeee to process it, specifically, in a very quiet, somewhat dark place. much like everything, i take a long time to process things as i'm always trying to make a meaning out of it. (this stresses tf out of my Te dad, that would firstly describe me as uNneCesSaRiLy pRoFoUnD.)
- much like Ne and Ni (which is the main reason i think i'm a N), i'm more focused on the future. the past for me is a point of reference. the present? not there. while i’m not particularly a big planner or always prepared for everything type person–if anything, i’m not prepared for any different outcome of what i was sure would happen–, i do have a set plan of what's going to go next. always. i’m always keeping in mind the deadlines, what i’ll do three days from now, how will this play out in the end. being so “future focused†is what makes me so distant and aloof. i’m never particularly paying attention to the immediate and often overlook it.
- Ni for me was always a difficult function to understand. it all sounds like reasonable witchcraft, and while i can say i have "hunches", i can't say if it's in a particularly Ni way. what made me relate more to it was the whole "aha!" concept. once again regarding Ne users, when solving or strategizing something they will keep trying different ways until one works, while i'll, first of all: freeze, and take a long time until "magically" come up with thee way and keep trying that one until it works. when we're solving something together (like the brain it on! game problems) it either goes Ne user telling me "try this" and me going "thought about it, won't work because blablabla" or "haven't thought about that" because i was so focused on different ways--inside a whole. (i also don't particularly like it, because they're out loud guessers, which continuously makes me lose my train of thought.)
- regarding Ni, i'm always why-ing everything. i was one of those kids…
onto the Feeling functions:
- in my "typing" sessions (done by unofficial professionals, fellow members of mbti forums) , i have been described as having high Fi. i am very introspective and can describe myself in a quite "detailed" way. i deeply value individuality, originality and authenticity. (now, this doesn't mean i embody these characteristics. if anything, i'm a social chameleon, that has different personas to each person.i'm definitely a compromiser and pleaser, rather than a stay-true-to-yourself type.)
- it was always hard for me to distinguish whether "putting others before myself" is an Fi value, or Fe. so, comparing myself to the INFP friend again; i often find INFP friend being too informal or casual, while on the other hand i'm always way too conscious of the hierarchy, appropriateness, and what is and isn't acceptable. i've also noticed that she is more firm in her beliefs, while i'm more easily swayed just for the sake of pleasing. when i find myself disagreeing with someone, i get in flight mode and don't want to touch that topic not to reach a discussion, INFP friend will always explain her p.o.v and even try to sway us to the dark side. she is also more unapologetic (on the surface) if someone doesn't like her, she has a "if they don't like my personality, then we aren't meant for each other", while i will "adapt" myself to that person, for the sake of coexisting. doesn't mean that i'll want to be their friends or form a strong bond, it's really just to keep it polite and harmonious. neither of us like criticism (naturally), but we also deal with it on different ways; INFP friend will basically go "well, it's my way, so your opinion doesn't matter" definitely on a more defensive outlet. while, i have no internal reinforcement and will most likely start to question what was pointed out. she'll always keep other in mind, and has never done something that directly affects others, but at the end of the day she puts herself first. while i always want to make everyone happy, even if it doesn't make me happy. in the end for me, what everyone else wants is always what wins. lastly, we are both "come vent to me" people, both good listeners and all that, but when it comes to sympathizing we go about it in different ways. INFP puts herself in others shoes, and if she doesn't relate to what the person done/feels/wtv she will say that. "if it was me". while i can often see the other's side and understand it. which results on me being very forgiving (but not forgetful) and unable to say no to anyone--which is also a general people pleasing trait.
- and to finish the F functions, i'm very confused about my feelings. i only process and/or understand what is it that i feel when i can look back at it as a whole. if i'm going through something, in the moment i can seem not reactive and detached--which in a way i am, as it takes me a long while to actually decide what i feel about it. this also comes along with me having trouble distinguishing whether i'm feeling this or i'm being influenced by everyone else that's feeling this.
- i've done a lot of growth voicing my own opinions, and i always find myself being very agreeable when i'm in a new setting. the more comfortable i get, the more opinionated i get--which isn't a lot too, while i can have a lot of theories about something, i'm more distant in a "do what you want, i'll go along" way.
regarding the Sensing functions:
- regarding the way my sensory input works: i'm easily overwhelmed when i'm surrounded by loud noises or bright lights or intense smells or just crowds. i can't eat food with intense smells (even if they're considered good), and tend to be very picky with my own food, to the point i'm scared of trying different foods--unless i’m pressured to do it, because my mom’s friend cooked it or something. i can't deal with bright or flashing lights, as it makes my eyes water and my head hurt. i can’t wear perfume and hate any type of aromatic spray for the house, as synthetic or intense smells make me dizzy and give me headaches. i can't wear tight or scratchy clothing, and when i do, let's just say it makes me not pleasant. loud sounds get me jumpy and hasty, and i can't stand it for too long before covering my ears like a child. substances like alcohol, weed or caffeine, affect me really easily and always have a really negative effect on me. fireworks are like being on drugs for me, due to all the visual stimulation, and i kind of get overwhelmingly scared (because of the noise).
- i'm not very good with details, i find it quite overwhelming, unless they have a symbolic meaning to me. the way i usually get to details is by noticing something off when looking at the big picture, then i'll analyse small thing to small thing to find what is it that is off.
- i am definitely more of an abstract person, theorizing about why things are they way they are. in fact, it somewhat bores me if i just have to look at something in a simplistic it is what it is way.
- much like Si, i really focus on and appreciate "quality of life", prioritizing aesthetics and feel good activities. especially if i’m put under a stressful situation, i will fall into a completely detached state simply over-indulging on things that make me feel good. food, buying clothes, rewatching my favorite movies. i’ve also noticed that i am a routine follower, not out of efficiency, but for comfort, security, conservation. when it comes to tradition, i do really appreciate it, but if it goes directly against my values, i’ll probably not be as supportive of it. for me tradition is a way of preserving identity.
- when it comes to Se, i think it is the primary response for me. if i see a lamp, it is a lamp, then i’ll relate it to light, which will take me to a more symbolic train of thought. as i have very sensitive senses, i don’t enjoy adrenaline inducing activities. i do enjoy it if it’s relaxing, like gardening or floating on water. i’m quite clumsy and the worst with directions, i can get to places but couldn’t explain how. if i get inside a store, and come out a long time after, i probably won’t know what side i came from previously.
lastly, the Thinking functions:
- as i have somewhat mentioned, i'm a quiet solver that needs to think and rethink before actually doing anything tangible. which leads me again to being quite slow with things. i often question what i'm told (one of the reasons why school was so painful, just sitting there and having to learn how to do thing the way someone else did it) and need to re-evaluate things by myself. of course this isn't always, for the sake of being practical i can just take in whatever it is and do it.
- i don't know exactly how to explain how my thinking works, because i'm not sure if it works at all… if i'm really interested in something i will look how the thing functions. mbti for example, while i received infp initially, i then looked it up why and finding out more about the cognitive functions i came to my own conclusions about each one.
- i don't have a very telling way to explain how my thinking works, but if i can figure out the core of how something works, then i can figure out how everything will derive from that.
i would like to make clear that in no point am i trying to state which way should and shouldn't be done, neither do i mean to generalize the usage of the functions. i am strictly using the examples of the users i've met and using them to compare it to myself--if i only try to see myself in my own interpretation of the functions, it can be quite misleading. (also, INFP and ENTP friends know i'll be putting them on blast, and don't mind.) i'm open to any suggestions and thank you for reading!!!
