[Ethereal]

I just realized that I know nobody else at my school that is an INFP like myself. This might be why everyone thinks I'm so fucking weird lol. How many fellow INFPs do you guys know in real life?

[Blickwinkel]

Well, I'm INTP (possibly with a touch of F), but I have personally found that you usually mesh better if you're surrounded by people that are similar to you but different as well. My best friend is INFJ (an INTP and a male INFJ, that's a pretty rare friendship now that I think of the percentage of the population that's male INFJ's...), which is probably why my F is so high compared to most INTP's. I've learned from him about opening up and not shrugging off my emotions, and I've taught him how to stand back and think things through when it comes to his personal relationships and making decisions. I probably wouldn't be the person I am today if had an INTP as a best friend.

I'd take being weird as a compliment :). It means you're different. Different can mean interesting. Use it to your advantage. Someone will like you, its just a matter of finding those kinds of people.

[Ethereal]

Hmm you may be on to something. I guess having friends with a wide range of personalities will help me build on my own, in a positive way.
Well, I enjoy being different when I'm by myself, cause I can be myself and do what I want without worrying about what people think. It also lets me get wrapped up in my own mind, just thinking about random stuff that flows through.

[ujellyfish]

Hmm I don't believe that personality type is really such a leading factor. I mean, it's accurate to an extent and it's a good springboard for exploring yourself, but in the end your interactions with other people is a result not of your personality type but of how you treat them. Two people might be the same personality type, say INFP in this case, and one might be seemingly always surrounded by friends who think they're just the best person in the whole world, because they make an effort to be sociable and easily connect with people, whereas another might not make that effort and struggle to make friends.

Basically, if you think of yourself as separate or different from other people around you, they're likely to pick up on this attitude and not feel like talking to you, because really who wants to talk to someone who's alienating themselves like that? I think the best option is to stop putting personality type on such a pedestal and just put yourself out there, as tiring as it can be sometimes. Talk to people about your interests you may have in common and use your great empathy skills to connect with them further.

[Holgrave]

Meh, I'm of one of the more common types (ISTJ) and people call me weird all the time. I believe one person phrased it as "highly individualized." I take it as a compliment. All in all, I wouldn't worry about it. All that matters is if you're happy with yourself.

[Skum]

It's understandable to feel a bit lonely when you can't share your thoughts with people knowing that they won't *get* it, but that's how it is with everyone! Even finding someone of the same or very similar type may not change your feelings of being alone. That sounds a bit sad, but the good news is that forging friendships with people who are different from you is extremely rewarding. As Blickwinkel pointed out, they can help you grow as a person.

The sense of camaraderie you get with sharing "I know that exact feeling!" moments is really, really comforting and powerful. But when you have friends who share struggles and accomplishments that are very different from yours, and you still feel for them, you know you've expanded outside of yourself.

Pursue lots of friendships! The only thing that determines how "deep" they will be is the time and care you put into them. I knew an INFP girl who I'd talk to in classes, but it never expanded into a deep friendship. On the other hand, I've known and spent time with an ISFJ, ISTJ, and ESFJ who have made me a better person and became my best friends.

[Wellsy]

I think of loneliness as not being able to communicate parts of yourself that you want to express. We want to feel understood, that people get what we mean when we express ourselves. I don't think being a less common type makes us special, I think there is some point gotta learn that we have to earn things as no one owes us anything. I think the people on this site will certainly help you. Last year I had a year long identity crisis after finishing year 12, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I was getting pretty low down and it didn't help when I copped jokes or "support" to go find a job or what ever.
I just didnt know myself well enough to know what I want, for a while I wanted to be a plumber but I now know that wasnt what I wanted and im glad I didnt go down that path too far.

But be grateful for the differences because they're a wonderful part of life that's not within ourselves. I admire the people who have characteristics that I dont have within myself. Also I think of it this way, majority isn't always the best, certainly not in the case of people. Because mediocrity is almost a disease, where you're alienated if you're too much or too little when there is no right amount. You're too smart, too dumb, too short, too tall, too fat, too skinny. All that is just bullshit of people pushing their own insecurities on others, pain often expresses itself in hurting others I think.
So enjoy not being so mediocre and aspire to be like the people you admire most, the men and women who stand out from everyone and weren't afraid to be awesome, to be themselves.
Think of it as Hendrix says and let your freak flag fly high. The best of us escape the rest of us. Also practice gratitude, life isn't as bad as we can sometimes believe.

[La Li Lu Le Lo]

I had a teacher in high school that I think could have easily been INFP. I liked him, we had a lot of the same ideas about things, liked the same subjects, the same appreciation for beauty. Unfortunately he passed away only 2 weeks after the school year began when I first met him. But in those 2 weeks, he ranked as one of the best teachers I ever had.

Other than him, I don't think I've ever met another INFP in real life. We INFPs probably pass each other and never know it.

[SocioApathetic]

I'm an INTJ and I don't know any other INTJs IRL. I don't feel so lonely because I have found I enjoy my time with xxFPs the most. My closest friends are : ISFP, INFP, and ENFP. I have learned a lot from them as people and not just walking MBTI types. I think you should broaden your horizons. It's not about MBTI; if you're going to limit your search to INFPs, you're going to find difficulty. Just because another person shares your MBTI type, it does not mean that they are kindred spirits.

[Lokkye]

I don't think I know many INFPs in my life either, but it really is no cause for distress. You can form similarly valuable connections with people of other types. People don't have to be extremely similar to you for you two to get along well. Sure, if you're friend and you are both INFPs you would think that you would have more in common. However, this is not always the case. There is also much to be gained from people of different personality types. You shouldn't rely on MBTI alone to determine the value of your friendships and/or relationships. MBTI is merely a tool and should not be a main point of reference when making friends. What would be more useful is whether you can get along well with the person or whether you enjoy the company of the person, regardless of their personality type. I'll say I can actually get along well with some ESFJs, INTJs etc. Even if your friends are not totally similar to you, what matters is that you can understand each other well, and could feel close to each other. Personality type shouldn't matter too much.