[NF] Question about being Extraverted/Intoverted

[The Third Rider]

So in the past I have read that you cannot change type. It seems to me that over the years (recently turned 26) I have become more and more introverted. i used to want to be "out and about" on a daily basis and now I sometimes rather spend the weekends alone, when I am in a party I don’t quite care much for socializing and don’t hang out with my friends as much as I used to. It’s not that I am depressed or anything of the sort but is it normal for an ENFJ to become more of an introvert? heck, is what I am describing even behaviors of an introvert? Any theories would be welcome.

 

[Glycerine]

I bet you are just balancing out! I am introverted ENFJ myself too. I get energy from my environment and people but constant interaction drains me rather quick. Maybe you have a high energy intensive job or something that makes you need some breaks?

 

[SilkRoad]

Yeah, I think it could be balancing out. I'm definitely an introvert, because I can stand to spend a lot of time alone and even feel I need it - to me it's partly about dominant functions and partly about where you draw your energy (being alone, or being around others). But I'm a fairly outgoing introvert, and definitely need regular people input and association in my life. Lately I've been more withdrawn, and even felt it was a bit too much - feeling cynical about people, exhausted by many, just needing to withdraw to recoup energy. I'm feeling better again, I think.

 

[Elfboy]

So in the past I have read that you cannot change type. It seems to me that over the years (recently turned 26) I have become more and more introverted. i used to want to be "out and about" on a daily basis and now I sometimes rather spend the weekends alone, when I am in a party I don’t quite care much for socializing and don’t hang out with my friends as much as I used to. It’s not that I am depressed or anything of the sort but is it normal for an ENFJ to become more of an introvert? heck, is what I am describing even behaviors of an introvert? Any theories would be welcome.

I don't know how it is with introverts, but extroverts tend to become more introverted with age and maturity

 

[Lady_X]

me too...i used to be so interested in new people...very like me to make some sort of plans with people if i liked them and now i rarely bother...it's just like...eh...i'm not in the mood...

 

[Betty Blue]

Definately less extroverted than i used to be.
I used to find it hard to spend time alone for longer than a day or two although i have always had the capacity to dissappear/withdraw from the social scene.
I love my alone time now and feel a real need for it on a fairly polar scale to which i used to socialise.
I also enjoy going out and being an observer much more than i used to, i love to watch the scenes unfold, the traffic of people and the way they interact with each other. I don't feel the need so much to be in it.
Although if someone approaches me i am always comfortable with that...but will tell them to piss of if they are an idiot, i just dont have the time or inclination to entertain morons.

 

[The Third Rider]

Thanks for the explanations guys, so it means that you are balancing out your personality more? Interesting. I thought my personality type might have been morphing or something lol So do introverts become more extroverted as they get older???

 

[cranez]

Thanks for the explanations guys, so it means that you are balancing out your personality more? Interesting. I thought my personality type might have been morphing or something lol So do introverts become more extroverted as they get older???

Yes. You can change over time. In fact, I flip flop between ESFJ and ENFJ frequently.

I have a friend that was once an INTJ that transformed into an ESFP over a 6 month period of time after he went on this crazy European backpacking trip. It was bizarre how much he had changed in such a short time but believe me...it can happen.

I used to be much more introverted in High School. I believe I was an ISFJ and now I'm an ENFJ that rides the line of introverted tendencies.