Thanks for this response.
Yes, and Fi can intuit that and interprets you as being fake or inauthentic. Not necessarily consciously but as a subconscious message, which is why I would intuitively distrust (or dismiss as shallow) the externalised pleasantries.
Again, it isn't inauthentic. It just isn't 100%. It just isn't Fi. Exploring that those interior feelings seems odd and awkward and scary. I have been doing a lot recently and it is annoying to say the least....
Now, regarding others, I know what they are feeling no matter their words. It shouts at me. They don't even need to talk. Strong emotions stand out as if the people are wearing a glowing sign. So whenever someone says something that rings false, especially when their words contradict their nature, it is hard for me not to notice.
Thanks, that does help actually. I spend most of my time and interest and energy exploring what is deep down inside, so that's where my primary focus is, and that's what I 'expect' others to consider as most important as well. I find this external-is-the-most-important interpretation quite helpful. But I'm good at looking inside people - so maybe I am looking in the wrong place, so to speak...
Now, I'm an Enneagram 3 in the heart fix, so I have BIG issues with this - I see any dichotomy between outer self and inner self as inauthentic. And I'd distrust that unless I was allowed to see both layers, both inner and outer - see? I mean, if inner is red and outer is blue, I'd intuit that you were purple as a person and be puzzled and dismissive of you as an inauthentic person (or someone who didn't know himself that well) if you insisted that you were completely blue, so to speak.
Again, it is just different. In comparison to Fi, many Fi users are not aware how they impact Fe users, clueless to the damage they cause to others and dismissive of this harm. It isn't that they are bad or stupid or immature. That are just unaware of the extent of Fe world, no matter efforts to understand it. Just like I really struggle to get a handle on Fi world and I know I just see a few layers of it.
I know when others are messed up inside, no matter their exterior, no matter than they have not processed it for themselves yet. It is far easier for me to sense and manage everyone else than myself. And I notice that a lot of Fi users tend not to express those inner feelings, but they really are not hiding from me, at least the ones that are more on the surface. As such, lying is useless around me..as I just know it.
And no one has ever accused me of being anything less than authentic. I come off as the bold confident guy that everyone trusts and looks to as wise and knowledgeable, which can be a problem when I actually admit to having issues and problems because they can't believe it. My parents told me last year that they let me raise myself because I seemed to not need help, even as a every young child. I was just so confident and independent and mature to them, yet I needed parents to actually be there.
I am not saying that I am right, far from it. Time was when I used to consider that everything I did felt deeply inauthentic to me because it didn't match my innards at all (see the different focus of attention) and I have really worked to align myself better and allow the hidden areas to shine through. Even though my reasons for hiding them were very different from your reasons you give here.
Fi needs to align values with actions. Though I have noticed Fi user struggle with contradictory values.....and do what seems to be serious mental gymnastics to make it all fit together. I do also notice that many TJs don't even realize that they are using Fi to decide rather than Te.
Fe may or may not need to do this. I never compromise on my core values. I live my life in a way that has always been compliant with what I hold true. But I will prioritize others or the group more than myself. And choosing to prioritize others is not being inauthentic, but rather it is being authentic to my nature. So, lifting up those around me is more important that emoting the pain I have inside, especially casual acquaintances. They don't deserve my shit. They don't deserve my pain.
But even with those close to me, I try to avoid burdening them. Because I know it will cost them and hurt them. And if they hurt, then I will feel their hurt. So, I see Fi users ranting, unaware that they are, and I just can't be like that. I can't do that to them, especially those that I love. I want to save them pain. And when it feels like it will not help anything by expressing my pain, I just try to take care of it myself (or, in the past, deny it entirely).
I totally agree. What I do is akin to translating myself into the language of my listener. What I don't do is 'exist' within the translation nor do I derive my energy input from their response to me.
I don't know if I exist with the translation, per se. I can easily spend a lot of time by myself and find joy and peace being alone. I know of another ENFJ male about my same age that spends most of his life completely alone, not because he can't handle it, but because he enjoys the space away from others, so he can explore and expand his understanding.
I do feel energize from social interactions. I enjoy a great conversation that lasts for hours, especially if it is very N.
Yes, I get that. I trained to be a teacher and I think in the process I learnt to do a decent emulation of Fe, but it is absolutely not me and I have grown a huge amount since studying cognitive functions has opened my eyes to the methods and realities of Fi.
Fi Te have their own beauty and power and place. It isn't the same as Fe, but that is OK. I find Fi extremely attractive and appealing and pretty much only dated FPs before I married one. Fi users can definitely learn to understand the social dynamics and group interactions, just like Fe users need to turn inwardly to truly grow and develop. The path is opposite, but that differences add spice to life and means of growth.