About Me

Short version:           

Friend, athlete, pianist

Calm, introverted, dreamer

27 year-old, American, female

Counselor (MSW)

Long version:

I love cucumbers.

I have traveled the world.

I’m really good at folding fitted-sheets.

I work hard to be continually learning.  That is the key, I think, to being able to look at myself, others, the world, and life in general, with an open mind and with the ability to appreciate the good without omitting the bad.

I find everything interesting, even things I know little about.  History, politics, sociology, psychology, and philosophy/religion are some of my favorite subjects to read about, and I also like classic novels (i.e. Crime and Punishment, Christy, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, etc.).  At any given time I’m in the middle of ten or so books.

I thoroughly enjoy playing most sports, especially soccer, basketball, ultimate frisbee, and also running distance, which I do on a regular basis.

I’m generally a quiet observer of people, but I also enjoy one-on-one conversations.

By nature and nurture I’m a very loyal friend, but it’s easy cause I have amazing ones.  They challenge me, enjoy me, and care about me with astounding depth and consistency.  The same thing can be said about my family.

After so many teenage years of being uncomfortable in my own skin, my mantra has finally become one of genuine self-acceptance.  The relief that has come with that cognitive shift is a constant, pervasive, profound, and most blessed relief.  I wish it for all who do not have it.

I have a passion for social justice, which has flourished under the auspices of some amazing professors, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  I plan on working professionally in this area for the rest of my life while at the same time remaining committed to personally living on the right side of social history, especially in regards to the most marginalized members of the human race.

If I died today at age 27, I would die feeling like I’ve lived a wonderful, fulfilling life.

Really Long version (as told to me by a version of Myers-Briggs):

(I’ve underlined the things I strongly agree with…)

INFP

Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving

The Idealist

As an INFP, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system. Your secondary mode is external, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.

INFPs, more than other iNtuitive Feeling types, are focused on making the world a better place for people. Their primary goal is to find out their meaning in life. What is their purpose? How can they best serve humanity in their lives? They are idealists and perfectionists, who drive themselves hard in their quest for achieving the goals they have identified for themselves

INFPs are highly intuitive about people. They rely heavily on their intuitions to guide them, and use their discoveries to constantly search for value in life. They are on a continuous mission to find the truth and meaning underlying things. Every encounter and every piece of knowledge gained gets sifted through the INFP’s value system, and is evaluated to see if it has any potential to help the INFP define or refine their own path in life. The goal at the end of the path is always the same – the INFP is driven to help people and make the world a better place.

Generally thoughtful and considerate, INFPs are good listeners and put people at ease. Although they may be reserved in expressing emotion, they have a very deep well of caring and are genuinely interested in understanding people. This sincerity is sensed by others, making the INFP a valued friend and confidante. An INFP can be quite warm with people he or she knows well.

INFPs do not like conflict, and go to great lengths to avoid it. If they must face it, they will always approach it from the perspective of their feelings. In conflict situations, INFPs place little importance on who is right and who is wrong. They focus on the way that the conflict makes them feel, and indeed don’t really care whether or not they’re right. They don’t want to feel badly. This trait sometimes makes them appear irrational and illogical in conflict situations. On the other hand, INFPs make very good mediators, and are typically good at solving other people’s conflicts, because they intuitively understand people’s perspectives and feelings, and genuinely want to help them.

INFPs are flexible and laid-back, until one of their values is violated. In the face of their value system being threatened, INFPs can become aggressive defenders, fighting passionately for their cause. When an INFP has adopted a project or job which they’re interested in, it usually becomes a “cause” for them. Although they are not detail-oriented individuals, they will cover every possible detail with determination and vigor when working for their “cause”.

When it comes to the mundane details of life maintenance, INFPs are typically completely unaware of such things. They might go for long periods without noticing a stain on the carpet, but carefully and meticulously brush a speck of dust off of their project booklet.

INFPs do not like to deal with hard facts and logic. Their focus on their feelings and the Human Condition makes it difficult for them to deal with impersonal judgment. They don’t understand or believe in the validity of impersonal judgment, which makes them naturally rather ineffective at using it. Most INFPs will avoid impersonal analysis, although some have developed this ability and are able to be quite logical. Under stress, it’s not uncommon for INFPs to mis-use hard logic in the heat of anger, throwing out fact after (often inaccurate) fact in an emotional outburst.

INFPs have very high standards and are perfectionists. Consequently, they are usually hard on themselves, and don’t give themselves enough credit. INFPs may have problems working on a project in a group, because their standards are likely to be higher than other members’ of the group. In group situations, they may have a “control” problem. The INFP needs to work on balancing their high ideals with the requirements of every day living. Without resolving this conflict, they will never be happy with themselves, and they may become confused and paralyzed about what to do with their lives.

INFPs are usually talented writers. They may be awkard and uncomfortable with expressing themselves verbally, but have a wonderful ability to define and express what they’re feeling on paper. INFPs also appear frequently in social service professions, such as counselling or teaching. They are at their best in situations where they’re working towards the public good, and in which they don’t need to use hard logic.

INFPs who function in their well-developed sides can accomplish great and wonderful things, which they will rarely give themselves credit for. Some of the great, humanistic catalysts in the world have been INFPs.