This is specifically directed at INFP's, but I welcome anyone's input.
Do you have trouble controlling your feelings in public? Have you learned a way to shut down or somehow keep emotions from bubbling up at times when you'd prefer them not to?
This is really embarrassing, but tonight I attended a little kid's gymnastics recital and at the beginning we all stood up to acknowledge the American flag while the national anthem played, and I found myself getting teary eyed and overcome with emotion. *Sigh.* I feel stupid even typing it. I'm glad nobody really saw me. Then, during the recital, I was wrestling with emotions yet again, thinking about all these kids and how I'd be willing to sacrifice my time and energy to make sure they turned out well, and how so many people tell me I'm stupid and shouldn't care for people I don't know, and thinking about humanity at large... blah blah blah.
I don't get out much. And no, I'm not all hormonal, either. Seriously, though, sometimes I avoid going out because the stupidest little event can trigger all sorts of wild, philosophical thoughts and deep emotions, and I get frustrated with myself. It's kind of exhausting.
Once, my SO and I were at a wedding and he asked me to slow dance. We had been having relationship problems. I really wanted to dance. But I couldn't. I had to say no, because I knew if I got out on the dance floor then I would have some sort of overwhelming emotional moment and start crying in public and making a complete spectacle of myself. I missed out, because the only alternative to the overwhelming feelings is to shut them off completely.
I get really overwhelmed in crowds, too. The crowd dynamic does something weird to me. If I'm in a big audience at a sports event and people start jeering and screaming, I get really worked up and out of sorts. I feel like I'm in ancient Rome and someone's about to be killed for fun. I don't know how to explain it other than, I get overwhelmed with a negative energy. (Sorry for you non-fluffy people.) Or if I'm at a concert and there is a huge, positive sort of emotional moment, I feel as if I'm almost floating out of my body. It just seems like most people I know can have these normal experiences but somehow I have to be all freakish and exhausting about everything because of how it affects me.
Does anyone have similar experiences? What are your stories? How do you deal with overwhelming emotions in public? Can you keep yourself from crying when you feel overwhelmed? Are there any tricks so people don't think you're completely psycho? Do tell.
Do you have trouble controlling your feelings in public? Have you learned a way to shut down or somehow keep emotions from bubbling up at times when you'd prefer them not to?
This is really embarrassing, but tonight I attended a little kid's gymnastics recital and at the beginning we all stood up to acknowledge the American flag while the national anthem played, and I found myself getting teary eyed and overcome with emotion. *Sigh.* I feel stupid even typing it. I'm glad nobody really saw me. Then, during the recital, I was wrestling with emotions yet again, thinking about all these kids and how I'd be willing to sacrifice my time and energy to make sure they turned out well, and how so many people tell me I'm stupid and shouldn't care for people I don't know, and thinking about humanity at large... blah blah blah.
I don't get out much. And no, I'm not all hormonal, either. Seriously, though, sometimes I avoid going out because the stupidest little event can trigger all sorts of wild, philosophical thoughts and deep emotions, and I get frustrated with myself. It's kind of exhausting.
Once, my SO and I were at a wedding and he asked me to slow dance. We had been having relationship problems. I really wanted to dance. But I couldn't. I had to say no, because I knew if I got out on the dance floor then I would have some sort of overwhelming emotional moment and start crying in public and making a complete spectacle of myself. I missed out, because the only alternative to the overwhelming feelings is to shut them off completely.
I get really overwhelmed in crowds, too. The crowd dynamic does something weird to me. If I'm in a big audience at a sports event and people start jeering and screaming, I get really worked up and out of sorts. I feel like I'm in ancient Rome and someone's about to be killed for fun. I don't know how to explain it other than, I get overwhelmed with a negative energy. (Sorry for you non-fluffy people.) Or if I'm at a concert and there is a huge, positive sort of emotional moment, I feel as if I'm almost floating out of my body. It just seems like most people I know can have these normal experiences but somehow I have to be all freakish and exhausting about everything because of how it affects me.
Does anyone have similar experiences? What are your stories? How do you deal with overwhelming emotions in public? Can you keep yourself from crying when you feel overwhelmed? Are there any tricks so people don't think you're completely psycho? Do tell.