INFPs often talk about feeling lonely in the sense that they see possibilities and futures that nobody else thinks are possible. They often feel alone in their need to live up to their personal values and hopes for a better world.
Being in social situations can drain their energy, and they prefer interacting with a select group of close friends. While they like to be alone, this should not necessarily be confused with shyness.2 Instead, it simply means that INFPs gain energy from spending time alone.
INFPs are staunch individualists: the very notion of any group in general has a whiff of disingenuousness about it to them. Cliques come with rules that must be followed: they're all about people conforming to groupthink and groupfeel. They are by nature inauthentic. INFPs strive for authenticity.
As an INFP, you can be a hopeless romantic who idealizes others. You put your all into your relationships. So, when an important one ends, you can feel lost in nostalgia, even to the point of wishing to go back, no matter how harmful that may be.
And as introverts, we don't always express ourselves easily. Add in the fact that our thinking differs greatly from most other types, and we're bound to be seen differently than we really are. Sometimes we know what's happening, but don't know how to change it.
INFJ. INFJs, like INTJs, are often misunderstood simply because they are so few in number. Making up a mere 1.5% of the US population, INFJs see the world in a different way than most other types do.
They can be overly-sensitive, quick to take offense, and insistent that only their views and values are valid. They can be resentful and isolative, only allowing people into their lives that adhere to the same ideals and values.
The INFP – Shallowness
Shallow conversations, relationships, and activities turn INFPs off because they see them as a waste of time.
Although Mediators are warm and accepting, they don't always find it easy to make friends. This may be because superficial, casual relationships can leave these personalities feeling a bit empty.
INFP Grip Stress
They stop caring about others' feelings as much and react quickly without worrying about careful evaluation. Often this takes on the form of mulling over bitter thoughts towards others or becoming sarcastic and passive-aggressive.
INFPs are very empathetic.
When your INFP friend disappears without warning, it may be because they feel overwhelmed by the problem you presented them with. Or they may have reached their stimulation capacity and needed some alone time to recharge their emotional batteries before dealing with others again.
INFP: People-pleasing
The biggest turn-off for INFPs is people-pleasing. INFPs are independent and individualistic in their beliefs and values. They want people to be authentic and true to themselves, even if they risk offending others.
If an INFP was traumatized in childhood, they may develop a strong dependence on their therapist. This is because deep down they long for a mentor who respects them for who they are and gives them the guidance they need. At the same time, INFPs tend to be sensitive to interference.
Who are INFPs most compatible with? INFPs are most compatible with the other Intuitive-Feeling types—ENFJ, ENFP, and INFJ—as well as ESFJs.
Therefore, if an INFP likes you, they will not only listen to you closely, but also remember tiny details about your life. Things that maybe you don't even remember telling them about, such as what was the color of your first bicycle, or what was your favorite cartoon as a kid.
Since INFPs are so values-driven, getting involved in a cause they care about can fill up some of their empty spaces. And they're more likely to eventually warm up to people they can work side-by-side with and who share their values.
Dating an INFP will require you to be mindful of the fact that this personality type thinks with their emotions and may place feelings before logic. While the INFP in relationships tends to be emotional, they may have a difficult time with self-reflection, meaning they do not always know why they feel a certain way.
The most compatible personality types for INFPs are considered the INFJ, ESFJ, and ENFJ personality types. The joint function is the extroverted feeling (Fe) that allows INFPs to explore the more adventurous side of their personalities mutually.
1. It's hard to find people who are emotionally open, available, and willing to dive deep. INFPs are generally very understanding and empathetic to others, even people they do not understand (no matter how hard they try). However, they do not usually make deep connections with shallow or gossipy people.
INFPs are a lot like ISFJs and INFJs when it comes to feeling comfortable before flirting. They like to cyber stalk their love interests, but can be somewhat shy with them in person until communication has opened up a bit. You'll find that INFPs make this open communication flow happen rather quickly.
INFPs are INTROVERTS, so they have strong protective boundaries and unless you are a friend or a client, they do not send a welcoming vibe out. They usually feel reserved and 'shielded”, very neutral. If they feel sorry for you - they might be warm and helpful, or at least a good listener.
INFPs may have trouble accepting or understanding disappointment or failure. Because they tend to be fairly sensitive, they're less likely than others to let go of hardships easily and may get hung up on things that they did wrong.
Thinking too much about the little intricacies of everything is likely to drain them, which may slow them down in other aspects of life as well. Inflexible or purposeless routine is also likely to bring a bit of stress to INFPs. They generally dislike strict schedules and prefer to make things up as they go.