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Idealist = Wishy-washy?

9K views 38 replies 22 participants last post by  Steve Taylor 
#1 ·
Hi All,

I'm just reading all these really cool personality type titles like 'The Thinker', 'The Scientist', 'The Guardian'.
It may only be funny to me, but I tend to chuckle when I see peoples comments and put it in context of their personality type. Now I'm an 'Idealist', and I'm not sure what people think about the term 'Idealist'. For me it sort of means we have beautiful dreams, but we're like children and don't actually manage to realize many of them, if any!

Are 'Idealists' seen as being the kookier players on the personality spectrum?

I'm very interested to know what you think about your own personality title, whether you think it describes you in some way, and what your impressions are on other type titles.

???

YAY!
 
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#2 ·
An individual with an Idealistic attitude visualizes the "ideal" situation, person, or event.


One of the best features of an "Idealist" is inspiring people to seek a more advanced ideal. We see the bigger picture than the other personalities. When both mix, we inspire people to search for that ideal goal. Although this is our best feature, the negative side to this is that the we become very disappointed in ourselves or others when they do not live up to their ideals. We also "dream" too much at times and we do not see what's real and what isn't, therefore, the result is we become quite naive..
 
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#3 ·
I guess the title "Guardian" generalizes the type fairly well. I could relate to being a guardian because I am very defensive about anything that I consider important.

One thing to say about the "Idealists" is that you can't live in an ideal world because you need to face the real world, which doesn't always live up to the ideal world. That's my view. I'm not trying to offend anyone; I'm just answering your question.
 
#4 ·
No offense taken! I expected someone to say that, you just were first :tongue:
 
#5 ·
Actually, it does offend me when people say that, because most of the people who ask me to face the real world are satisfied with the way it is now. They are trying to invalidate my right to hope that it might be more, and have no ideals at all. This was a big source of conflict between my ESTJ grandmother and me.
 
#6 ·
Go Snail!

I'm used to being pish-poshed for my perfect world leanings, so I don't get too offended anymore. I think the people that pish-posh are the kind of people that only see what is, and not what could be. They're not the great movement of change by any means. They're... the practical cogs or something :laughing:

If would be nice if idealists were also natural born leaders. The things we could do! Of course our lack for detail and follow through could wind up being pretty bad leadership.... :confused: Maybe we should be leaders in inspiring more practical leaders to strive for something more? President, Vice president, Idealist. "I'll have my idealist talk to your idealist and we'll come up with a plan that puts world peace into action." Hooray!

Ultimately the diversity of personality types is awesome. We definitely need each others strengths to realise our own dreams. Everyone has a part to play. Problems occur when not all voices are heard.

Whoops, and I'm beginning to ramble again. Continue!...
 
#9 ·
I'm idealistic. And wishy washy. Yes.

I too don't like people telling me to be not idealistic. I hate "the real world," it doesn't work for me, and I don't think it works for a lot of people.

It's easy to accept the real world when your doing fine, but look at all the people in the world who are NOT fine. Billions of people live in poverty, billions is no ideal, it's unacceptable.
 
#11 ·
I think these nicknames are not bad at summarizing the types, but of course they are even more generalized than 'INTP' or 'INFP'...
Thinker is a good term for INTPs, but you see, i in other contexts would describe myself as well as Idealist, Protector or Giver...There were many more of these 'nicknames' which could be given, but it think it is just an attempt to ease the use of the name of your type. instead of having to say all day you are INFP, and then explain what this is all about, you can first say you are the 'Idealist-type'...

Ogion

EDIT: Yes, N-types can get very apart from 'real' life, but you can become too connected with which is as well. For society there has to be a mixture of both. And for the individual, well, whatever works and is natural for them...
 
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#13 · (Edited)
(INFP = I Never Find Perfection) I can't remember where I heard this from; either another thread or surfing the web. I wish I wasn't so idealistic. It inhibits me from making decisions sometimes out of fear of making the wrong ones. It certainly makes dating more difficult in addition to my shy and reserved personality. I rarely find girls who meet my standards; and I'm not referring to superficial standards. I have also struggled to choose a career path. Bouncing around between jobs, I was in the military for a while, and now I'm finally going back to college to pursue a degree in journalism. I'll be 25 in about a week. I guess you are never too old to go back to school. I wish I would've stuck with it earlier though.
 
#17 ·
Hahaha! Very true addle!:wink:
 
#19 ·
I hear ya Snail. I love talking with my type as well as others.:laughing:
 
#20 ·
The INFJ I have a crush on wants to introduce me to a friend of his. She's an INFP like I am, but he says that she is nothing like me. I'm curious to see if I am a freak even among my own kind. I have no idea what an adult INFP female is like, because I haven't known any INFPs since I was in school. It should be interesting.
 
#21 ·
Tell us all about it snail. We would love to hear what happens.
 
#29 ·
The woman is nothing like me. I don't think she's really an INFP. The INFJ said that this supposed INFP tested near the middle on every letter. When I met her, she came across as too aggressive and outgoing, and she seemed much too practical.
 
#22 ·
When someone calls me an idealist (or something along those lines), I take it as a compliment, even if it's not intended to be. I like being an idealist, of course there are drawbacks to being an idealist (relationships, I'm looking at you!). I wish I wasn't an idealist when it comes to that, because, well, I want to find the PERFECT girl, and sometimes I feel like I just need to settle with what's in front of me. I can only wait so long :p.
The thing that confuses me and makes me feel like I might not even be an idealist is when it comes to material things. I don't need the nicest car, the newest phone, the nicest clothes, the prettiest girl, the nicest house, or any of that. I'd pick a cheap, reliable car with good mpg, a phone that works, comfy clothes, a girl with an amazing personality, and any house, any day. I don't know if that's idealism or materialism or something else, but it makes me think.
Also, I get excited very easily on things, even if it's not the most idealistic thing. I don't know if that's an INFP trait or not. *shrugs* oh well.

Can anyone else relate to any of this ? :)
 
#25 ·
I don't treat my property with much respect unfortunately... but I do want the property most of the time. I want millions and millions and millions of dollars. But I may choose to live in a cottage in the English countryside anyway.
I do think I would also do some good with my cash. I would love better clothes, though most of the time I don't like shopping for them. I'd like a car (an environmentally friendly as possible one). I'd like to holiday and stay in the greatest places in the world. But I wish everyone could have a piece of want they want too. I guess I am materialistic, or perhaps comfort orientated. But I like things because I like them, not because of a sense of oneupmanship over the Jones'. Maybe that's the real difference? I don't know.
 
#30 ·
I appreciate the difference between wanting a thing for its own (even subjective) value, and wanting it simply to compete with someone else. I suppose there is a subtle difference, but I wonder how much of a difference that difference makes.

One thing I do know: a life of comfort encourages no growth.
 
#27 ·
Actually, did anyone ever think that we INFPs may be some of the only one who live our lives with morality and ideals in mind. Just like how Lincoln could never tell a lie, we infps have a heart, a big heart, and if people think we get in our own way because we have the moxie to try to nurture it then so be it. If we work hard we can get so far because at the end of the road we will have a clearer understanding of ourselves and we will certainly have few regrets and beautiful lives. JUST WORK HARD
 
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