Controlled and structured work environments that do not provide the flexibility to think independently are extremely stressful for INFJs. You establish very high, often perfectionist, standards for yourself and need the freedom to creatively accomplish these goals.
INFJs are often very aware of other people's emotions and less aware of their own. This can make emotionally stressful times a real challenge for the INFJ, because they aren't programmed to organize and understand their own emotions very well.
When INFJs are under a lot of stress, they can fall into the grip of their inferior function, Extraverted Sensing, which makes the INFJ unable to think about their normal visionary ideas, be creative, or help others with their characteristic empathy.
INFJs can find everyday life quite stressful as they struggle to cope in a largely non-sensitive extraverted society that doesn't understand them. Here are just eight of the ways INFJ react to an often overstimulating world. INFJs are easily overwhelmed by bright lights, strong smells, scratchy fabric or loud noise.
Here are some of the things that make INFJs the angriest:
Rudeness. Having their ideas and insights dismissed or ignored. Lack of empathy.
In my experience as an MBTI® practitioner, one of the most common struggles I hear from INFJs is the struggle of being misunderstood. INFJs feel misunderstood in their external environment and even by themselves.
Advocate (INFJ) Weaknesses. Sensitive to Criticism – Advocates aren't averse to feedback – that is, unless they believe that someone is challenging their most cherished principles or values. When it comes to the issues that are near and dear to them, people with this personality type can become defensive or dismissive.
Exercising alone is helpful, and some INFJs find great solace in nature. Other stress busters include light reading, writing in a journal or meditation.
INFJ personality types tend to be stressed and drained by...
INFJs tend to be especially drained by conflict with others. They're likely to avoid tension as much as they can, which may lead them to withhold information due to a fear of causing conflict.
Healing from trauma and dealing with past pain requires the INFJ to open up to true vulnerability. This means acknowledging the past — good and bad moments — and remaining open to healing and growing from these events.
When they're depressed or uninspired, they feel fatigued and drained. INFJs without a vision for the future feel listless and apathetic, as if they're lost in a fog and unable to find a light to guide them home.
INFJs will spend a lot of time reflecting on the situation alone, and they'll decide whether it is worth addressing or forgetting. An INFJ will often choose to push the issue aside and leave it, releasing their anger through art, creative hobbies, or exercise.
Interruptions, noise, and excessive sensory stimulation will push an INFJ to the edge of their comfort zone.
In addition to being highly sensitive (sometimes to an extreme degree), many INFJs also struggle with high amounts of anxiety and depression. A lot of INFJs report that they experience a low-key depression running in the background of their lives, even when it appears that everything is going well on the surface.
As sensitive personalities, INFJs feel attracted to people who show kindness towards others. Extraverted Feeling is their auxiliary function, which means INFJs try to connect in a gentle way, and appreciate those who can do the same. Most INFJs also strive to make a positive impact on the world.
To impress an INFJ, show them you have a sense of depth about life. Talk about your passions, be open-minded, and demonstrate that you want to live a life with integrity. Show them you love to learn and that you have a big, beautiful, rich inner world they can explore.
INFJs are, in many ways, an emotional sponge. Wired to think about feelings, relationships, and what's best for people, we tend to absorb the emotions of others even in the best of times. Unsurprisingly, that can leave us pretty exhausted — and that's true even if the feelings we're picking up are mostly positive ones.
Intuitive Weirdness
INFJs have an abstract, futuristic approach to the world around them. Rather than seeing things for what they are, they see things for what they “mean.” When forced to focus all their attention outside the intuitive plane, they can come across as stressed, unsteady, or overwhelmed.
INFJs can become very stubborn about their perceptions and visions, insisting that the future they see WILL happen. They can develop plans that they believe in with 100% dedication. If anyone contradicts their plans they can become oppositional or else withdraw and carry out their plan under-the-radar.
The best matches for INFJs include intuitive types such as INTJ, INFP, and ENFJ. INFJs are the least compatible with sensors, especially ESTJs, ESTPs, and ESFPs. INFJ-INFJ relationships can be emotionally fulfilling yet difficult if both INFJs aren't willing to openly discuss relationship problems.
Introverted Intuition is the strongest and most accessible function of the INFJ. In a way, this is the function they live and breathe. It's not hard for INFJs to tap into Ni because it's the most relied upon part of their psyche.
INFJs are fairly sensitive individuals who can be deeply affected by emotional pain. They may have experienced betrayal, rejection, or hurt in the past, which can make it difficult for them to trust others in the future. In many cases, they may hold onto this pain for years to come.