Southern Kross
Away with the fairies
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2008
- Messages
- 2,910
- MBTI Type
- INFP
- Enneagram
- 4w5
- Instinctual Variant
- so/sp
Yeah, I do it a lot but this might be partly related to being a so/sp in instinctive variants. I tend to wear the happy, friendly, easy-going mask a lot - it convinces people that I'm not feeling down, socially awkward or anxious about something. Most of the other masks (which are slightly different to the ones listed) I use for similar reasons, namely that I want to conceal a less than desirable emotional state.This is a common phenomenon. As far as I know, every human being does it often.
This thread is specifically in regards to how INFPs do it. I've read in many descriptions, and heard from them directly, that it's a major theme in their lives, and if they don't do it more than most, they at least notice themselves doing it more than most.
The masks are as much a part of the person as the "real self" (or the face, by this metaphour), it's simply that the "real self" is something the person is more comfortable with, identifies with more, is what they show to themselves (when alone), and is the consistent theme that doesn't change like the masks do. It is their "core", so to speak.
The various masks I am familiar with:
Childish
Unserious/joking
Apathetic
Vulgar/Shock value
Cruel
Stoic
Agreeable
Unlike when actually being those traits, using them as a mask I feel a big internal conflict, but currently find it difficult to stop. Especially if the interaction is rapid (anything aside from email/forum writing). This is aggravated further by, if the "face" starts to show, I retreat fast or regret it later. It leads to isolation, lack of intimacy, much regret, people getting a false impression, being misunderstood and many other negative things. Taking the masks off however, seems worse.
So what do you think of all this?
Are INFPs more prone to masking?
Do they just notice it more/are more concerned with it?
Or are they nothing special when it comes to this?
Anything else?
I do think that INFPs do it a lot because we find it difficult to talk to others openly about our feelings (particularly the unpleasant ones). We simply find it easier to play along and put up a facade. As you said erm, these masks are a part of our personalities but I feel that the mask is different because it is a concentrated form of one side of your personality used as defense tactic, rather than the broad, constantly changing, complex nature of your 'true self' when you are at ease. I think for this reason its different to simply being in a certain mood.