Monday, November 30, 2009

I decided to post something

Okay, so to get this blog rolling if anyone checks it... do you think you were born an infp, and if not, how did you become one? or, do you think it matters.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

I am Legion for we are Many

OK. My name is really Keenyn. Do a Kenan and Kel joke, and I will look for you; I will find you; And I will...you get the idea. I have developed a dark sense, which finds its way out through shock value. But, we can play with words later. This is supposed to be an introduction, right?

Well, I grew with the I, the N, and the F, but the P is probably a recent addition. High school was rather simple for me. I was highly intelligent with only one major extracurricular activity: marching band. I was introduced to Myers-Brigg by my psychology teacher in my senior year, who gave all his classes the test when we got to personality tests. I got INFJ then. I went away to college and had a very bumpy start that started to turn around until my world shattered. One of my best friends died suddenly in a motorcycle accident. We had started to grow distant as that often happens as you transition out of high school into college, but it still hurt in a similar way to two other deaths in my life. But this one hurt on whole new levels. I ended up dropping out and turned inward for over a year. During that year, I read a lot on various topics, and rearrange my perspective on life and myself. That's probably where the P started. It's been two years since then and I didn't rise from flames like a phoenix. It feels more like I arose from the depths of the ocean.

-Keenyn

Monday, November 16, 2009

I can't help but think this song was written about an INFP guy.



Rob

Sunday, November 15, 2009

the song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okd3hLlvvLw

had trouble posting this link :)

The Dreamer

Long before I knew anything about being an INFP, or before getting an ADD diagnosis, I always called myself the dreamer. Its my nickname for all my computer accounts. And I always loved this song:

Saturday, November 14, 2009

So free your mind from mental prison...Then what?
Its a picture cuz i used it for Tumblr... -keshia

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Do You think our Idealism is a bad thing?


Hey, first off I would like to say thanks everyone for participating. Hear is a question to get your writing muses going. Do you think our personality type or our idealism is a good or bad thing?

I read the description of our personality type and I love what it says, love knowing that this is the type of person I am. Someone who cares so much it hurts sometimes, someone who wants to bring joy to other people, someone with truly good intentions, someone who is their own worse critic, someone who is dedicated to what they value/believe. I read this, and I feel like our personality type is one of the most positive. But there is a But.

I took this silly quiz of facebook (as I am prone to doing) about which leader i am from movies or something like that, i don't remember. But it said I am a reluctant leader, but when forced to learn I'd do the best job in the long term because I neither desire power and have sincire compassion of all. So I'm thinking that INFP's would be good leaders, if we actually lead insted of being 'idealist' and thinking about leading. We are the type of people with enought passion to change the world for the better, but not enough drive. We'd be more likely to escape reality for a while than to fix reality.

There is this song that makes me think of this, Brick by Boring Brick by Paramore

"She lives in a fairy tale
Somewhere too far for us to find
Forgotten the taste and smell
Of the world that she's left behind
It's all about the exposure the lens I told her
The angels were all wrong now
She's ripping wings off of butterflies
keep your feet on the ground
when your head's in the clouds
Well go get your shovel
And we'll dig a deep hole
To bury the castle, bury the castle
Well you built up a world of magic
Because your real life is tragic "

To "Bury The Castle" could mean to give up on your dreams, but I don't think thats the only interpretation. I think it could also mean to get rid of home. Not literal home, but whatever you use to escape reality. Be it books, music, internet, writing, daydreaming, whatever. That way the feeling of homelessness will cause you to seek out a new, real home. I think instead of escaping the world, we should strive to change the world. It's not enough to be the change privately, that doesn't cause the world to change. You have to inspire others.

Are there thing you wish you could change? Together to help each other make personal changes? Do you think its possible to change the world, or is it my idealism talking? What ways do you think the world needs to change?Or do you think our idealism is fine and there is nothing we should do about it?

Hopefully this will get you thinking and give you all something to blog about.

- Keshia

Our Perspective Is So Rich

I was just thinking today about how thankful I am to be an INFP.
We are awesome people (I may be just a bit biased there. haha)!
But seriously, we are so in tune to our feelings, and to others that we can offer so much to life even though sometimes it's frustrating to always be paranoid that people are judging your actions or your appearance.
I seriously cannot imagine what it would be like to be another personality. We are truly unique.
We are so complex and interesting and I think we should just be so thankful to be that way. I always thought I was complicated because I grew up in so many cultures, but it's awesome discovering that no matter what culture or country you were raised in we still share similar characteristics.
Anyways, what other qualities are you glad to have as an INFP?
What else do you feel we can offer the world by being so unique?

Connecting

What a success this blog is! Thanks Keshia :)

All of these entries are so uplifting and creative! I feel like such a sour puss since mine from last week seems like such a downer. But the odd thing is that when I meet people in person I am a very upbeat and positive person with a smile on my face. I tend to get darker when left alone for too long, and need the company of people around me. I know, not very introverted of me. That is the one category that I am middle of the road on, I vs. E.

So I (sort of) reconnected with a friend of mine (ok, an ex), and by reconnected I mean just a friend to talk to. She’s INFJ and going through some really tough times. But we’ve agreed to send each other email messages. And it felt great to write to someone who I know will read it and understand me, just like you guys :) And I woke up this morning feeling really good. Connection is very important for me. Even something as simple as an email to a person I may not see for a while, or a blog to people I will never meet. But because there is a reality aspect to it – as in you are all real people and I’m not just writing to myself – then I can take that speck of reality and create a daydream out of it. Which is what I do, daydream. Daydream about harmless, funny, ironic, cute, silly conversations and scenarios involving people I know – my own little soap operas. And I feel better.

:) Vlad

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I dream... I think you will identify

I think all of you can identify with this (sorry for putting three posts in a row)

I dream of blue horizons, where ocean meets sky and where birds fly through the air like kites on strong wind. I dream of undenied beauty and of songs that sail the ocean day and night. I dream of a world where no one is judged for what they look like but for who they are inside and of a world that struggles for peace instead of fighting over simple things which turn into wars. I dream of simplicity, of beauty and of peace. I dream of a world where no one is made fun of, where beauty means who you really are and not what you look like, where peace is a household name and where love is not judged.

I dream. I dream. I dream. I dream. I dream.

I dream of green pastures, rolling into hills, pure green, quiet with only the sound of tweeting birds, singing songs of tranquility, a world where everyone is happy and no one dies, but lives life to the fullest.

I dream of forests filled with tall trees, surrounding a meadow that sunlight touches all day, every day, setting the grass on fire with the magic of what the sun is capable of doing.

I dream of a nighttime where nothing bad happens, where the stars are the only thing we ever think about, how wondrous they are and of a field where everyone can lie down, just staring at the night sky and think about their futures, without worrying about being hurt.

I dream of a planet where animals and humans can live with each other in peace, the cycle of life still in existence, but not to the point where everything is violent. I dream of a planet where humans understand the importance of respecting nature and all it has to offer.

I dream of big blue oceans, filled with life and millions of things yet to discover, unpolluted by mankind and of the magic that is quickly drifting away into the distance in this reality.

I dream. I dream. I dream. I dream.

I dream of a world where no one is judged, where everyone is seen for what they can offer the world and their good qualities, rather than being pushed down and hated for what they look like or their quirks.

I dream of a world where war does not exist, where violence is not known and where everyone gets along, of a world that knows only this and nothing else.

I dream of love unconquered, not destroyed; of love not judged but accepted and thought of as beautiful. I dream of love for everyone and not just for some. I dream of a world that will understand that love is love, regardless of whom shares it.

I dream of trees growing and not being chopped down day after endless day; of trees living and breathing, breathing life into the earth and all that live on it.

I dream. I dream. I dream.

I dream of a world where hate was never known, where love is the only thing anyone knows, where hate is not even a word but made up. I dream of a place where nobody was ever killed but died of a natural death and everyone loved.

I dream of freedom: freedom to express, freedom to live, freedom to love, freedom to do anything as long as no one is hurt.

I dream of friends who won’t turn their back on anybody, who won’t hurt those they care about and who stand by those they love at all costs, no matter what happens.

I dream. I dream.

I dream of peace. I dream of love. I dream of happiness. I dream of beauty and of freedom.

I dream of a place where all of these exist and where it is actually possible that war will not happen, people will not die and everyone will live happily.

I dream.

I dream of a utopia that in this reality cannot possibly exist.

-Katie

Death of the Fire

This is a little bit of a short story I wrote.

I awoke among the shattered pieces, which fell upon the ground like broken glass and upon my awakening, I discovered… that the lies far outweighed the truths, and the blood stains on my skin were the proof that I had to back up my claim. All of what I was once capable of doing, all of what I once knew was possible has quickly turned to ashes in a dying fire. And as I stared at the few flames among the many embers, I realized… my dreams had died with the passing of my body to the ground. When I fell, the pieces shattered and the fire began to die. My life was no more than a passing train anymore and I was the passenger roaming the corridors of that train, hoping to find an answer when all I was coming close to was the end.

That fire was a constant struggle in my life, to keep it burning or to let it die… I could do neither. But in my struggles to decide which, the flame remained subtle and barely alive. It was not enough to keep me warm on the many dark cold nights that I lived through. It was only enough to allow my survival to be a possibility. I spent my hours deciding between warmth and food.

My fingers were cut and my body was mangled from falling on the ground so many times. I fell many times a night, from starvation, the cold and exhaustion. I could not sleep and my hunger was enough to keep me awake on this dark cold night but I was nowhere near aware of my surroundings. My body could not handle this pain, this hunger, this fear and I fell over and over again, cut by the ground that seemed to only be a glass floor which broke each time I fell.

The blood stains on my body proved to back up my claim.

I was not capable enough to do this on my own anymore. My stubbornness had failed me. I needed help. I needed someone, anyone. My anger would do no more for me and my stubbornness could no longer help me at this point.

The fire is dying and I am growing cold.

My name is Katie

What a creative title, isn't it?

Well, anyways, I don't know if this will work out or not but since Keshia started this and we have kept in contact since we both became a part of the group, I will take time out to do this when I can. Anyways...

My name is Katie, and I've known that I was an INFP for about 3 years. However, I didn't really look into it at all until my sophomore year and then all of a sudden it was like BOOM!!! Everything and I do mean EVERYTHING about me suddenly made perfect sense. So I wasn't that weird and there were other people out there like me. It was a shocker to say the least, as I had spent my life truly believing that I was the odd one out.

To introduce myself: My name is Katie (absolutely hate that name) and I am 17 years old. I've lived in the United States all my life. I love to write and am actually really good at it, as I've heard most INFPs have a talent for this. I've been writing for 9 years, over half my life. I'm really into the arts and I love to spend my time daydreaming and thinking over things in my head. I am a very introspective person. Because of this, I feel as though most of the world I live in is inside of me rather than in the exterior world.

My life has been one giant reflection. I'm constantly thinking. That thinking turns into writings. I write to discover parts of me and to release the emotional tension I keep buried. I'm not the most pratical person and I'm not very good at expressing exactly how I feel. Most of the time, I'm trying to spare the other person's emotions. This year, I got sick of that and I've been so angry that I turned to the exact opposite. It turns out to be just as destructive as letting people walk all over me. I've had some trouble with that.

I'm really good at languages. I can memorize things quickly. I'm a decent artist and I love all the fine arts. If I could be a writer and make a decent salary for a living I would. However, I really want to be a teacher in inner city schools/third world countries, teaching ESL or Spanish.

I'm in band which is very social and it drains tons of energy out of me so basically throughout the fall, I have no energy and I have to pump it back into myself by force. At football games during the third quarter my instructors are constantly trying to get me to put down the book I'm reading or my notebook and pen and go out and socialize. They don't really seem to get that I need that time to regroup. I need my time alone and I don't get it enough.

I'm an overachiever as well and I usually get very good grades. I went through some issues this year though that caused me to fall far behind and I will not be on the honor roll this year as I have been every other year.

I could probably be a lot deeper than this but I'm not quite ready to put myself out there to be judged by the world. My confidence isn't exactly there or anywhere close for that matter.

-Katie Lynne

Katrín


I think it was a week ago that I found out I was an INFP and after reading about this type it was so clear to me. I had no idea there were people out there who are just like me. I've read all your posts, laughing and relating so well with all of you!

I've been meaning to write a post for a while, but I've been too shy because my english isn't the best and I dislike doing things I'm not perfect at. Especially when you guys will be reading it too.

Well maybe I should introduce myself then. I'm Katrín, currently residing in Sweden. I'm originally from Iceland and lived there for five years when I was younger. I have a difficulty fitting in. On Iceland I feel swedish and in Sweden I feel icelandic. I'm 18 years old, will be 19 on sunday. I'm a scorpio.

I think if people were to describe me they would probably say: The quiet girl with a weird sense of humor. Well, at least that's how I think of myself.

I graduated from high school this summer and I've mostly been doing nothing since...Mostly because of my procrastination and the fact that I'm terrified of applying for a job. I have no idea what I want to work with in the future, but I'm only 18 and don't need to worry too much about that I guess. It's not like in America where you go to college directly after graduating from high school. I'm taking a year (or more) off to figure out what I want in life.

I absolutely love music. I have been singing for...as long as I can remember really. I also play the guitar and the piano. Music is everything to me, I listen to music 90 % of the day. I often think about how much I love music, I love it too much. I'd rather sit with my ipod listening to music than having a conversation with someone! I do love having deep conversations though, I'm just not too fond of "small talk". I'd rather be quiet than awkwardly talking to someone.

I love baking. It gets my mind off things. I'm really good at it too. I can't stand sucking at something. I suck at cleaning, therefore I try to avoid it as much as I can. Haha.

In january I will be moving with two friends to London. It's all I can think about at the moment. I think it'd be good for me too to get out in the "real world", get to know people and live. I feel as if I'm not living my life to the fullest at the moment and I don't like wasting time like this doing nothing useful. I hate it! I want to live and love so that when I grow older I feel that I've accomplished something in life.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Dan (Leroy, Tron, L's, Bearded Guy, ect.)

Well where do I begin. I feel like I may be repeating some of the previous entries, by typing this, but hey I'm expressing myself too. I must apologize ahead of time I can be extremely sarcastic, and sometimes morbid in my writing, I'm doing my best to stay polite. Anyways my birth name is Daniel, but I've had various nicknames over the years, I'll get to that when it's relevant. First off I was adopted before I was born, I've lived a fairly stable, yet sheltered lifestyle, in a Roman Catholic SJ type family, although I have absolutely no idea where my genes come from. For several years in elementary school, I was pretty certain that I was left here by Martians, well at least I thought that would have been a cool story for myself (Hell, I'm still even positive I'm from Earth to this day, at least till I found this blog). Going into middle school, I stayed away from the popular crowd, although I always dreamed of leading the revolution between the geeks and populars. I had several really loose friends throughout middle school, although they would never grasp the idea that not being popular wasn't that big of a deal with me, leading me to feel extremely alienated and different. Getting into high school, things changed.

I somehow found a relevant social clique, and picked up a new name "Leroy." Why Leroy, I dunno, my buddy just kind of made it up in 9th period history class in 9th grade (why do I only remember certain details?). Somehow the name temporarily replaced my real name, as I fell into the punk/goth/emo crowd, it just felt right to introduce myself as Leroy. I think it was partially because it was the first time I ever had a NAME for myself, instead of being just another quiet Dan. For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by people who took pride in being weird and different, this extraverted my personality (temporarily) like nothing I've felt since. I would walk into a local band show or the mall on a Friday night and groups of people would shout my name as they walked by, it was great!! For the first time in my life, my weirdness had paid off. But this really only describes 9th and 10th grade for me.

Then I got a job at the local Target, and well working their, you simply couldn't be as openly weird. So I used to introvert my personality at work, and built a few superficial friendships on that, but it was so weird being quiet and reserved sometimes, and outgoing and loud with different groups of people. Then the shell began to close. As 11th grade started, I found myself becoming more distant from all the "scene" crowds. I still kept my core friends close, (still have most them to this day) but my extraverted energy had been spent, I just kept a low profile for the last two years of high school and besides I was going to college after this so I could just do it all over again, no biggie.

I'm in my third year of college now, and let me tell you the memories of high school practically, scratch that, literally bring tears to my eyes. I forget how hard it was to come out of a shell if no one cares. Not to say I haven't had a few good friends who have appreciated my depth in college, but nothing like before. I'm so inconsistent and indecisive about everything, I rarely go out to parties, unless I'm guilted into it, generally by someone who everyone else I would have hung out with doesn't like, making it even more awkward. I read another post on here where someone said they missed out on a lot of friend making opportunities because I've trying to keep peace with their dorm-mate, that is the story of my sophomore year. I roomed last year with one of my early friends from college move in, but he's got this weird ENFJ-thinks he's an ESTP personality which is probably the most annoying thing I could ever have conceived since he essentially only carried the negative aspects of both personalities. But he had a touching life story so I had to be nice, right? I still beat myself up for being a dick to him this year. But as I continue through college I just kind of drift with the flow, getting C's and B's while keeping my music at my side.

As for spirituality hanging with the punks made me a cold atheist, until last year, now when people ask me my spirituality I say, "Spiritual Atheist." Anyway I must say this blog is a genius idea, don't give up just cause it takes awhile for people to discover this.

Hannah ~~~~ ``

I shouldn't be writing this. I have six chapters of psychology to read this week, a ten-page ethnographic research paper to write by next Tuesday, etc etc etc. I haven't started any of this, I'm too stuck on how uncomfortable and sick I feel. Both my body and soul are desperately tangled and spread too thin, Trying to unravel my issues is like pulling strands of hair up through my throat, one by one, without slicing my vocal chords. I feel so detached from everything, I'm turning colder each and every day. I'm so tired, physically and emotionally spent...This is what college has done to me, and I'm scared for myself.

I thought I would like college a lot. Finally, I would be getting freedom! Finally, I would be turning over a new leaf! Finally, I would be taking classes that I liked instead of stupid high school general requirements, and meeting new friends that I could be my true self to. A new me would emerge, I was so sure...

But none of that really happened. Every once in a while I'll get comfortable with someone and have a decent conversation, but mostly I feel uncomfortable and alone. I haven't made many friends here at all. So often I feel like I'm on the edge of a complete meltdown, things seem to be spinning out of control and no one is here to stop me from falling in on myself. The only thing I have here is my art, my journal. But even that is a double-edged sword, acting as a distraction from all of these issues that I need to confront.

All I can say is that I hope next semester is better. I hope my heart warms up, that I make some friends in my classes there.

And I know that this is angsty, but I feel like you guys, better than anyone, will be able to understand, and to support me during this difficult time. I want to feel connected to people again...

Anyway...I feel like I should introduce myself in a less slitting-my-wrists way. My name is Hannah, and I'm 18 yrs old. I'm a freshman at UC Berkeley, and as you might have discerned, I'm not super happy here. My dorm room is too small, my roommates and I aren't close, I don't have many friends. The people here just seem so impenetrable, and so I shut down. I'm very shy and insecure here, and so even when I know I am being socially awkward, I often feel helpless to change my behavior.

Lately I've been finding solace in dreamland though... I'm taking a class on Bob Dylan (It's AMAZING :D :D) and so am now thoroughly obsessed with all things the 60s, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, etc etc. Add this to the persistent obsession with the Beat generation of the 1950s that I've had since I was 16 and you get a fervant desire to find a time machine and escape these technological doldrums for the real, passionate life of the 60s. What I wouldn't give to be transported back 50 years... I'm always having these fantasies of dropping out of college and going out "on the road" like Kerouac, liberating myself from all technology and getting a taste of the real heart of life. There must be something more than this, I'm always thinking.

I'm also super obsessed with art. Art is what keeps me going, keeps me sane...It's my everything. I want to get a job as an illustrator or concept artist after college, preferrably at Walt Disney Imagineering. I feel like if I can get to work for Disney, my soul will finally be in the creative, happy utopia that it belongs. :) (I'm also obsessed with Disneyland, not to be confused with Disney channel. D:)

And so that's me! Writing this has already made me feel a lot better, and I'll feel even better once I get OUT of this dorm room !!!

The Multicultural Elizabeth

I'm a third culture kid. I was born in Morocco, and lived there for five years before moving back an forth between Peru and the US. After that, I lived in Mexico for five years and then moved to England where I have been for a year and a half. All this moving took a toll on my identity as a person. I had so many different cultures inside me that I never knew which one to identify to.
Even before I found out that I was an INFP and what that entailed, I began to take pride in my Latin American culture. I have always had a problem with putting expectations on friends and thinking that everybody is judging me when they see me or talk to me. I have never been comfortable in myself. There are few people who I can really just bare my soul to.
After I knew I was an INFP, I realized just how unique I really am. That obviously brings good and bad consequences. Growing up, I knew I was different from my teenage friends. I never had interest in the pop culture or the name brands that they all seemed so enthusiastic about. I got so frustrated with them because to me, they were superficial.
I went through a period of three years, where I was self injuring. I was never diagnosed with depression, but I truly believe that I was. I was suicidal, but I was scared to die.
People found out I was cutting, and though they labeled me as an attention seeker (even though in a way I was seeking attention), I wanted them to be aware that there was more to life than just name brand clothing.
I am a believer in Jesus Christ, but I'm not religious. I grew up in a Christian family, and my parents weren't that religious. They were more spiritual. They lived by faith in God, but by the laws that Christians have set up. Even though my parents weren't extremely religious, we lived in Christian communities, where I felt like I had to be perfect, and this led to more uncertainty.
Now, I've learned the true meaning of being a follower of Jesus Christ, and that has helped with identifying that I am a daughter of God and my permanent home is in heaven. I can go through life moving around and never owning a home, but I'll still have that home in heaven with Jesus.
I'm still the awkward teenager I was 5 years ago and I think I always will be. I still second guess myself and over analyse situations between people. I still feel like I don't belong in this culture and know I'm not like anyone else, but that makes me special. I know I'll find a husband who will love me and it won't just be an attraction marriage, but it will be a deep, meaningful relationship where we can benefit from each other. Right now, I'm just letting Jesus sort out my life because I've failed so many times in trying to do it myself.
I'm very excited to see everyone else's stories! :)
It's kind of like I've known you guys for awhile because we can relate so well.
I love being an INFP!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

INFP's are awsome!


I am SO EXCITED that ppl are actually doing this and i already feel like I know you all so much better. But right now I have no time to make a blog, because i have an essay to write thats due tomorrow morning. So for now I'll leave you with a random pic of me swinging like a little kid, that i'm gonna use as one of the pics for my self-portrait assignment for my photojournalism class.

Everything we write on hear can be our cyber-footprint to the world... so yea... now i'm kind of rambling.

also, i found this cute little blog http://whatisinfp.blogspot.com/


- keshia

Saturday, November 7, 2009

I am Adrianna

I’m not much of a writer, I’m constantly reading, and re-reading, to avoid judgment. I think that people are always judging me, everyone. I’m kind of shy, more than just ordinary shy. I like to be around people, but I’m normally the “silent observer.”

I think way too much before speaking, and for the most part it gets the best of me. And when I do speak, I over-analyze it. Replaying the conversation in my mind, thinking of what I could of said better.

Few people know the true me. I can count them on my hand. I’m not very confident in myself, and I feel like I’m missing out. I’m young, only 20, almost 21. I feel like I’m missing out on a life, because I surely don’t feel like I have one at the moment.

I feel as if I live through my friends. And for the most part, I feel like I’m a walking confessional to them. They constantly tell me about their life. I go out of my way to help my friends, acquaintances and even strangers. I’ll change my plans if I have to.

I hated leaving high school. By the end of it, I had good friends, a boyfriend, and tons of people looking up to me. It took me awhile, but by the end of high school, I was finally out of my shell.

And then college rolled around. Even though I am in my junior year, I still feel out of my element. At least I have my music. Music is my outlet, I could listen to music all day, no problem.

Adrianna

Friday, November 6, 2009

Jayne

I am;
romantic and glorified.
Naive, and burnt out.
Dreaming, sleeping, walking, watching.

I am;
immersed and anonymous,
detached, and invisible.
Conversing,
Dreaming, sleeping, walking, watching.

I am;
urban and chic,
materialistic and superficial.
Consuming,
Dreaming, sleeping, walking, watching.

I am;
the philosopher, the apprentice,
the social worker, the pacifist.
Thinking,
Dreaming, sleeping, walking, watching.

I am;
a gentrifier, an idealist,
marginalized, and powerful.
Protesting,
Dreaming, sleeping, walking, watching.

I am;
daughter, friend, lover,
writer.
Hiding,
Dreaming, sleeping, walking, watching.

I am;
19 today, and I feel so old.

P.S. Keshia - this blog is a lovely idea.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

My short story

I’ve only starting reading up on Briggs-Meyers stuff this week, so I’m a newbie on this topic. But I am quite amazed at how accurately INFP (and a bit of ENFP) describes my experience.

I grew up as a very shy teenager and young adult. I would now say that I had social anxiety, and still do to some extent. But it was much worse back then. So I grew up thinking of myself as being introverted. That would be the nice way of editing what my thoughts of myself were like. I was not a happy camper. I badly wanted to be more sociable, have a girlfriend, heck just have more than one or two friends period. I now recognize that even then I had a fair bit of extrovert in me, my desire to be out amongst people rather than sitting home alone. Though I also have a lot of introvert in me – when I’ve had enough of people or am tired or stressed I do need my time alone to recharge.

Another aspect of why I felt like an outcast back in my high school and university years is because of other traits of my personality. Being a person who feels things strongly, and is very aware of other’s feelings, didn’t seem to fit my cardboard cut-out of what I thought a normal guy should be like. I did feel very alone and misunderstood. I romanticized about being a punk, or goth (not sure that term was used back then), but really didn’t have it in me to go full out that way. I just kept that rebellious and “cool” part of me hidden.

I ended up being an academic in a science field (quantum physics). I was good at math, and thought I was unsociable, so that seemed like a good fit. Now you might think that a scientist would be more T than F, but not me. Though I was quite capable at solving math problems logically, that was not what held my interest. I was always much more into more philosophical things, the big picture questions about our universe, “meaning of life” type of questions. I ended up specializing in quantum physics which deals with how little particles such as atoms behave, and they behave in a very illogical way. Quantum physics deals with lots of contradictions and makes no logical sense, which is why I liked it.

As I got older I found that working in front of a computer all day long was not what I could do with the rest of my life. Though I’m fascinated with quantum physics, I found the detail-oriented research very boring. Not to mention the lack of social interaction. I ended up landing a job at a private school teaching kids from grades 7-12, and loved that. I especially fell in love with the younger grades. I felt like a kid at heart and enjoyed just interacting with these kids, since that age group I found to be uninhibited and didn’t care about the more practical, logical, details of adult life. Adults my age often talk about things that don’t interest me (climbing their social and professional ladders, financial matters, etc.) I prefer to talk about meaningful, philosophical, relationship-focused topics. I worked at that school for almost 5 years, but lost that job and am now unemployed. I can’t work as a teacher in the public school system because I don’t have the qualifications for that, so my plan is to go to teacher’s college next year. Meanwhile, I’m enjoying my year off – relaxing more, doing things that make me happy.

Meanwhile, my love life has been an adventure. I found it very difficult to date as a young adult, and eventually got married to someone who has lots of good qualities, but was a terrible match for me. We ended up having a son together and split up, a very amicable split-up that works great for us now. During the course of our split-up I was diagnosed with ADD (that’s without the hyperactivity). It certainly explained my day-dreaminess, lack of focus, stuff like that. Then again, I now know that being an INFP explains the same thing.

Since that time (7 years ago) I’ve enjoyed a re-birth of a sort. I was less shy and inhibited now, so my extroverted part was showing a bit. Most people still say I’m “quiet and introverted”, so I know that I only feel more like an extrovert because I’m comparing myself to what I used to be like. I’ve dated a lot in the last 7 years, having 4 significant relationships (and many less significant ones). I was even engaged up until June of this year. I believe my problem has been that I’ve been acting on impulse too much and keep starting relationships with anyone who I find attractive and nice. For most people, attractive and nice might be good enough. But for myself (and other INFPs I imagine), it isn’t.

I need to connect with people, with my girlfriend or wife, in a deep and meaningful way. I need to talk about my feelings and have her talk about her feelings in an open and uninhibited way. And I mean this in a positive way as well – this has to be something that we enjoy doing. I need to be able to show my emotions freely, and for her to do the same. I need a really deep relationship.

For virtually all of the last 7 years I have been in a relationship with someone, or dating. But apart from a few months here or there, I have not been in that deep kind of relationship that I crave to be in. So now I’m being more selective. Part of this has been my recent delving into the discovery of Myers-Briggs personality types, and being aware of where I fall in and the type of characteristics I should be looking for in others. I think it will be great to not only find my future mate with this type of consciousness, but also to develop friendships with others who are sensitive, thoughtful, and creative individuals.

And that brings me here. To interact with others who are like me, to discover more about myself, and to hopefully develop friendships even if those made here are constrained to be online friendships only.

I’ve left out lots and lots and lots of details of my life, but I’ve tried to keep this short. Other details will come out in other blogs I’m sure.

:) Vlad

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

my short story: the Prelude

Hi everyone,

I have to run out the door in about 5 minutes, so I'll give you a little prelude, then when I come back I'll give you my short story. The Prelude is this -- I've spent the last half hour or so trying to figure out how to write this blog. I clicked on the sign in button many times. But finally, the last time I clicked on it I noticed the big space at the top which asks for the email and password. For some reason I did not notice that before. You see, I'm not so good at noticing little details like that when I'm looking at the big picture, and all the nice colours in the middle part of the screen. So which of the four letters (I, N, F, or P) would that trait fall under? Again, I can't remember that little detail, but I know its one of our fine qualities :) See you back later tonight!

Vlad

"I'm to shy to write the first blog"


Okay, because I started this I will start the introductions. For mine, I will just post what I posted on my Tumble a while ago.

The Written Evolution Of Keshia

(Ideal taken from http://yanimo.tumblr.com/post/230361511/the-written-evolution-of-ayana)

Give me a warm sunny day and a blue summer sky and let me find my way to Nowhere, the most peaceful place in the world. I’ll find me a swing and despite being 19 i’ll sour through the sky like I did when I was three. I think swinging is the closest thing a human can get to flying. let me just be there with my headphones in my ear, letting the music color the world even brighter.

I wasn’t suppose to be here. My mom had been told all her life that she most likely wouldn’t be able to have kids. But there I was, and they advised her to get rid of me. She would died in childbirth, they told her. Despite the fact that she got incredibly sick she didn’t get rid of me. We both are hear today. And you wonder why I believe in God.

Ever sense I learned how to scribble illegible letters on pages I was writing stories, though the probably only made sense to me in my three year old mind.

When i started school I was teased about everything in the book. By the third grade I had been suspended from school three times for fighting the people who teased me.

It was the summer between third and fourth grade when I made friends with a girl who taught me about what it means to be a Christian. Though we fell apart I’ll always be thankful for that because it it wasn’t for her I don’t know where I would be right now. Though school was still hard, i stooped fighting people and getting suspended.

I love writing, art, and music. The only one of those things I am vaguely good at is writing.

I don’t live everyday like it my last. But then again, if I had one last day on earth I wouldn’t go bungee jumping or party hopping. I’d probably be at home sitting on my bed, listening my my music, with my pen in my hand. I’d be sure to tell everyone how much i loved them.

I want to impact the world. No ceilings!

http://abeautifulmess12.tumblr.com/

-Keshia

WE ARE INFP

A blog maintained by a wonderful group of beautiful people who all happen to be INFP's. We met on a Facebook INFP group and formed some amazing friendships, and are now looking to learn more about each other and form closer friendships by getting to know each other better through this blog.

Pretty soon we will organize this more and talk about specific subjects, but for now lets just get to know each other by telling as much or as little about yourself as you want.

I can't wait to get to know my awesome INFP's better!

(sign your name after whatever you post)

- Keshia