What It’s Like to Be an INFP Personality Type
When you take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment, “INFP” is one of the sixteen possible results. This personality type is often called the “Mediator” or “Healer,” although you can also identify this type by the initials “INFP” alone.
The letters in INFP stand for Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving. INFPs are often idealistic and creative. This type makes up about 4% of the adult population in the United States. In the article below, we’ll share information about Mediators and how they interact with the world around them.
About INFPs
INFPs are idealists with big imaginations. They have a strong set of core values and beliefs that guide them. Their vision for a better future motivates them. Mediators are caring, sensitive, and compassionate. They also care a lot about personal growth: both their own and others’ growth.
The creator of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Isabel Briggs Myers, is an INFP. Other famous INFPs include Princess Diana, Fred Rogers, and Helen Keller.
Common INFP Characteristics
There are many characteristics common to individuals with the INFP personality type. Although most INFPs will have these traits, some of these characteristics won’t apply to every INFP.
Introversion
Since they are introverts, INFPs tend to have a lot of introverted characteristics. They are often quiet and reserved, although this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re shy. With rich inner lives, they enjoy their own company and need solitude to recharge after social interactions.
Big Picture over Details
While INFPs can be detail-oriented when they need to be, they tend to think about the big picture more than the little details. If something is boring or unimportant to them, they may struggle to apply their energy to the task.
Empathetic
Personal feelings are really important to INFPs. Since INFPs spend a significant amount of time thinking about their own feelings and motivations, they are keen observers of human behavior. Their empathy plays a huge role in their decision-making process, since they often value personal feelings over objective truths.
Creativity
While not all INFPs are creative, there’s a significant correlation between this personality type and creative pursuits. Whether it’s a favorite craft or writing, INFPs love spending time with their creative endeavors.
Spontaneity
INFPs wait until the last minute to make decisions because they like to keep their options open. They enjoy going on last-minute outings and engaging in last-minute adventures.
Strengths
INFPs have many strengths that set them apart from other personality types:
• They’re sensitive about others’ feelings. Their gift for empathy is one of their most prominent traits, making them great friends and partners.
• They genuinely care about other people. They don’t just act like they care, but truly care about the well-being and growth of others.
• They’re loyal and devoted friends. When they connect with a person, they build significant bonds.
• They work well on independent projects. Although they can work in groups, they’re more than happy to go to a solitary place and finish a task.
• They are particularly good at seeing the “big picture.” They see others’ perspectives and everything in play, making them great problem-solvers.
• They’re very generous. This is why INFPs are often called “Healers.” They desire to help others. Generosity is a high priority for them.
• They are often open-minded when it comes to other perspectives. Since they’re so good at empathizing, they’re more open-minded than many other personality types.
• They’re often creative. Most INFPs have some sort of creative hobby. They thrive in jobs that demand creativity.
Weaknesses
Despite their many significant strengths, INFPs have a number of weaknesses:
• They can be too idealistic. They often assume that others have the same good motivations they do, which can lead to them getting hurt.
• Their “big picture” thinking can cause them to overlook details.
• They are hard to know. As introverts, they take longer to open up to people.
• Because they’re so sensitive, they tend to take things personally. When someone says or does something hurtful, they have a hard time moving past that hurt.
• They can be somewhat disorganized. Their creativity and big picture thinking make it harder for them to manage details, especially if they’re not interested in something.
• They often struggle to focus on things, especially if they find the task boring or mundane.
• They can have people-pleasing tendencies. They want everyone to get along and often sacrifice their preferences in favor of helping others.
INFPs in Relationships
INFPs bring a lot to their relationships. Since they are both empathetic and loyal, they tend to be exceptional friends. The information below briefly explains how they are as friends, romantic partners, and parents.
Friends
INFPs often wrestle with contradictory feelings. While they need alone time to recover, they are also prone to loneliness when left alone too long. These contradictory needs mean that Mediators tend to have a few close friendships. They invest fully in those relationships, bringing their generosity and empathy to the friendship.
They like feeling helpful, so they’re often quick to act when a friend is in need. Their spontaneity allows them to jump into action at a moment’s notice to hang out or act as a listening ear. Their warmth and non-judgmental attitude help them foster ongoing friendships, even with people very different from them.
Romantic Partners
The qualities that make INFPs great friends also make them ideal partners. They are empathetic, generous, and hopeless romantics. They dream of having the perfect relationship. Instead of just wanting any partner, they want to find their soul mate.
While their strong drive to find “the one” can make them picky, they are often looking for things beyond the superficial. They don’t usually care about appearances, wealth, or social status. Instead, they care about the core being of their romantic partner. They’ll search tirelessly to find the person of their dreams.
Parents
When Mediators become parents, they are nurturing, warm, and open-minded. INFPs want their children to grow into kind and caring adults, so their parenting style will reflect this desire.
INFPs tend to give their children a lot of freedom to be themselves. Since they are empathetic and openminded, they are ready to nurture children who are different from themselves. Above all else, they want to make sure their children feel loved and supported in whatever they decide to do.
INFPs in the Workforce
INFPs love it when they can connect their life’s purpose to their work. They want to feel like what they’re doing matters, no matter what field they find themselves in. Work for INFPs isn’t just a source of income, but a way for them to positively impact the world.
When they’re working as subordinates, they tend to be considerate and loyal. They serve their superiors and coworkers with the same generosity they bring to their personal relationships. As managers, they approach situations with empathy and open-mindedness. They tend to seek out insight from others. INFPs are adept at seeing things from all perspectives, helping them provide solutions that satisfy all parties.
Although they can thrive in almost any career, INFPs make excellent counselors, artists, writers, physical therapists, social workers, and teachers. Regardless of their career path, it’s important for INFPs to feel like the work they’re doing is benefiting others.