20 Facts about Being INFP

INFPs, also commonly referred to as "the Empaths", "the Mediators", or "the Dreamers", are one of the Myers Briggs personality types. I may be biased as I write this article as I am an INFP, but I also have a couple friends who share my personality and also found a lot of info online. INFPs are also the most common personality type in Canada!

Without further ado, here are 20 facts that I compiled about INFPs, so that they can both further understand themselves, and other people can understand them, too.

1. INFPs are constantly looking for inspiration.

INFPs enjoy watching movies or reading books that give them inspiration or creative ideas. They are constantly absorbing the world around them and things that they see, in order to find what most interests them or lights their soul on fire. Their favourite movies or books are ones that gave them a lot to think about, or changed the way they saw the world, in some way.

2. INFPs will typically choose emotion over logic.

Because INFPs are feeling types, rather than thinking types, they are ignited by problems that stimulate their emotions, and often solve issues in their lives based on how it makes them feel, rather than with thinking. This means that INFPs often can jump to crazy conclusions or overreact, but it also means that they are very empathetic and will fight for whatever they feel passionate about. They have a very humanistic approach to problems, and often choose the option that makes the most people feel happy.

3. INFPs prioritize their values and are deeply in touch with them.

INFPs know what they value in life, and have a very strong set of values that they abide by. They also expect others in their life to have similar values, too. When they experience something that goes against these deep-rooted values, they usually become quit defensive or upset. This is why INFPs like to seek peaceful resolutions, and try to be around people that don't shock them or cause intense emotional upsets.

4. INFPs cannot handle people who appear fake or disingenuous.

One of the INFPs main goals in life is to be seen, both by themselves and other people, as "authentic". Their pursuit of authenticity means that they often internally criticize people they know who seem to be changing themselves or acting differently to please others. Although INFPs often fall into categories of being people pleasers sometimes, because of their dislike of conflict, they are quite hypocritical when it comes to judging others about being disingenuous. Interesting...

5. INFPs need creative expression.

Talk to any INFP, and you will find that they do something artistic or creative in order to let off steam or to deal with their emotions. Common hobbies for INFPs include creative writing, art, poetry, photography, music, or theatre.

6. When INFPs feel passionate about something, they won't be quiet about it.

You'll know when INFPs are passionate about something. Either they won't be able to stop talking about it, or they won't be able to stop doing whatever it is they are passionate about. When an issue or a problem that they care about arises in either society, or their personal lives, INFPs will need to vent about it, or find a way to create change.

7. INFPs are not driven by money or career status when it comes to choosing a job.

INFPs would rather do something they love that pays very little than aim for something that pays well, but isn't what they are truly passionate about. INFPs need to be passionate about what they're doing, or at least feel like there is meaning behind their career choice. INFPs are happiest when they are doing things that either inspire others, or improve other people's lives.

8. INFPs need people in their lives that share their values.

INFPs are usually quite open-minded, but they find it hard to create true connections with people who don't have similar values as them. This can cause a lot of conflict in their relationships if their friend or partner doesn't understand where they're coming from or what they believe in. Whatever their values may be, INFPs stay very true to them, and do not like being provoked to think outside of these values.

9. INFPs typically do not like conflict.

This one is questionable, because when INFPs truly get upset, they will usually find a way to stand up to it. I think it mostly depends on how mature you are as a person and less about your personality type. However, it is very common for INFPs to not speak up when they are hurt until a long time after the fact. This isn't great, because anger can build up for INFPs towards certain people and over time this may lead them to eventually explode. If you have an INFP in your life, try to create a rapport with them that values honest and open communication. Be honest with them, and they will be more likely to be honest with you.

10. A lot of INFPs I know don't really "get" social media.

INFPs typically avoid most social media platforms, especially ones that prioritize popularity or likes. They typically don't care a lot about social status or trends, and dislike people who use social media to "show off". If they do have accounts, they usually use them in a way to express themselves more creatively, or to be "lurkers" and see what other people are up to. They are rarely daily posters as they are quite private people.

12. INFPs are one of the most forgiving personality types.

INFPs are great at giving people second chances, third chances, fourth chances. This can be a good thing and a bad thing. Although they show others a lot of mercy and forgiveness, they can sometimes fail to hold others accountable for their actions that either hurt them or others, or they will simply ignore problematic or red-flag behaviour from friends or their partners.

13. INFPs need space once in a while; the best thing to do as their friend or partner is to acknowledge that and let them have alone time without being pushy or overbearing.

INFPs do not like people who get mad when they don't text back right away, or people who demand their attention at once. This may drive other people mad, but INFPs are more likely to come to you if you stay at a distance, rather than actively pursue their company or aggressively demand them to talk to you. When they are tired, moody, or simply need to recharge, they typically avoid social interaction.

14. When INFPs are emotionally unhealthy or immature, they often tend to be more self-absorbed or easily offended.

INFPs who are younger, more turbulent, or more immature tend to be more self-absorbed. A lot of INFPs have gone through an "edgy" phase where they thought the world revolved around them and felt extremely misunderstood and different. Sometimes INFPs can revert to this state of being when they are upset or going through a difficult time, even when they are older.

15. When INFPs feel comfortable with you, they might never shut up.

Many people associate introversion with shyness, despite the fact they are two entirely different things. Introversion is simply the need to recharge by being alone, whereas shyness is the fear of social interaction. People typically confuse the two because both introverts and shy people will retreat or isolate themselves. Although some introverts may be shy, most introverts, for the most part, are not. INFPs can be some of the most outgoing and talkative people. Typically INFPs don't reveal a lot about themselves at first, and will gradually become more talkative as they build a rapport with you. Once they do feel comfortable around you, INFPs are known to be quite boisterous and outgoing.

16. INFPs can actually be quite rude at times.

Although INFPs are heavily concerned with other people's feelings and making sure they don't hurt others, if someone hurts the INFP, they can go into a defensive mode where they may say snarky or rude things to try to hurt you. INFPs are really the most likely type to be passive aggressive, because when they are triggered, they will show an intense attitude.

17. INFPs don't typically "appear" like feelers.

Although INFPs are deeply emotional and have strong connections with the world around them and other people, they can sometimes appear cool, hard to read, or aloof. Since they are very private, they pick and choose the people who get to see their true values and emotions, and hide away the deeper side to them around strangers or people they don't know on a more intimate level.

18. INFPs are often perfectionists.

INFPs will typically fall into either one of the following categories of perfectionism. One, is material perfectionism; the need for thing to look good, for their projects to appear perfect, or for them to appear perfect. The second type of perfectionism a lot of INFPs struggle is Existential Perfectionism, or what I also refer to as Moral Perfectionism. A lot of INFPs are concerned about being a "good person". According to an article on 16personalities.com: "For someone dealing with existential perfectionism, 'Am I a good person?' is the unrelenting question. Furthermore, for them, the “good” in the question usually means 'perfect.'"

19. INFPs can be quite opinionated.

INFPs tend to act as though they don't have strong opinions or that they don't care about certain topics. However, when they around people they feel comfortable with, their true opinions will come out, and typically they are quite adamant believers in their opinions. They can actually be quite assertive at times when they believe in something or are arguing with someone who has a different perspective than them.

20. INFPs often find it difficult to achieve perfect authenticity, as they are often concerned with how others view them, and also don't always know "who they are".

Like I said before, one of INFPs main concerns is with being real and true to who they are. This can be quite difficult for them. They are often reminding themselves, or others, to "just be you". But the struggle with INFPs is that they often don't know who they are. They have very polarizing sides to them and are quite contradictory in nature. They often mold their personalities to fit that of those around them. At the end of the day, INFPs can find it hard to specify what their real personalities are, because both their emotions and their peers tend to shape their character. Part of why INFPs act so different around other people is that they are often concerned with how these people view them and want others to like them. They will often "edit" their personalities or beliefs, especially when they are starting to get to know someone, in order to fit in with them. This all makes it extremely hard for INFPs to feel as though they are being authentic.