[Dynamic Equilibrium]

At the risk of being rejected from the INTP collective, I am wondering about how my propensity for occasional sentimentality can be rationalized. I'm not ridiculously sentimental, but I like certain very emotionally meaningful keepsakes, particularly of relationships. For example I've kept souvenirs of my first date with my partner, and can not throw away a broken woven anklet given to me by my partner that can't be repaired or worn again.

On the other hand I have never been one to keep track of or display things like sentimental photos.



I do enjoy keeping track of and celebrating certain personal observances like anniversaries. Holidays, on the other had, mean nothing to me.

So, I suppose I'm just wondering how to rationalize sentimentality in a Ti-Ne framework and wondering where other INTPs fall in terms of sentimentality, especially with respect to objects or observances like anniversaries, etc.

[Kytaari]

I believe what you're describing is a very typical INTP characteristic.

I think you have Si somewhere in your functions, right? I think your relief function manifests itself one way by retaining sentimental paraphernalia. However, taking the time to browse through those emotional antiques is another matter. I've read somewhere that many INTPs can horde a lot of emotional "rubbish," yet not really take the time off to examine them and think about them.

I think another common trait is the tendency to become more mawkish in regards to music, but maybe that's another matter.

As for the punctuality thing, that's not as much of a discrepancy. INTPs are more inclined to abide by their own schedule. Collecting miliestones in your life allows you to relive those important moments at your own convenience.

[Dynamic Equilibrium]

That makes sense that particular sentimental drives might be tertiary Si driven.

Interesting point about music - I am very moved by certain songs, and tend to keep my music library quite limited only to stuff that does have importance to me and has deep lyrics and composition. It can be uplifting and upbeat, but on a deep and meaningful level. I don't think I've added to my library in years, most of it is stuff that was meaningful to me in high school and college, defining periods in my life.. I don't usually think about playing music just for the sake of it or as background, mostly only when I really actively want to delve into an emotionally reflective mood or escape and recharge emotionally.

[Master of Visibility]

You will not be rejected because something is false but simply because we do not wish to think that a trait we reflect might seem foolish. I share similar tendencies and most specifically in music (as stated above). I also will sometimes just stop and say to myself that something would make a nice picture; never have a camera with me though.

[M1R4G3]

That makes sense that particular sentimental drives might be tertiary Si driven.

That's pretty much hitting the nail on the head of your dilemma my friend.

[Kytaari]

That makes sense that particular sentimental drives might be tertiary Si driven.

Interesting point about music - I am very moved by certain songs, and tend to keep my music library quite limited only to stuff that does have importance to me and has deep lyrics and composition. It can be uplifting and upbeat, but on a deep and meaningful level. I don't think I've added to my library in years, most of it is stuff that was meaningful to me in high school and college, defining periods in my life.. I don't usually think about playing music just for the sake of it or as background, mostly only when I really actively want to delve into an emotionally reflective mood or escape and recharge emotionally.

This reminds me very much about something I read in Socionics. One of the Reinin dichotomies (I think that's how it's spelled) revolves around the attitudes of Constructivist and Emotiviss.

The constructivists side seeks emotional relief through tried-and-true pieces of medium, whereas the emotivists seeks relief by chasing new experiences. I think I remember reading somewhere that INTPs were constructivists, though I can't be sure. I guess this would make sense, though.

[626Stitch]

Rationality is good for acheiving a particuler objective, or keeping related things in perspective, but it cant really determine what you want. Ultimately we want something just because we want it and it cant be rationalised.

Your sentimentality stems from the fact relationships are important to you. Relationships are important to you because thousands of years ago our ancesters died if they didnt "keep in" with the tribe.

Personaly I have learnt to let my feelings out sometimes. My naturel instinct was allways to suppress and controll them. In my early school years this just lead to voilent outbursts in which I would be physicly aggressive towards bullies. I tried to controll my Fe so much I dont think I was even aware of the feelings I had underneath the surface. Now I channel my curisoity into actually exploring my emotional side, listening to music watching emotional movies etc. I am much healthier now.

[Sleeve Of Wizard]

I'm a very sentimental person so I can relate to this, especially the music part. I store "eras" of my life in the music I'm listening to at any one moment, later to be re-experienced when I access those memories through those burned-in neural pathways created by listening to a particular album over and over again. Certain albums I hold very dear and it can be quite an immersive thing to relive old times through them.

The souvenirs thing I also do. I have things I've kept (that are mostly worthless) from people that meant a lot to me even though they might not now, on a surface level at least. I still have cinema tickets (or other kinds of tickets) on my little notice board next to my desk.

I have a question though: Is this healthy behaviour? In other words, can it be..."excused" as just a quirk of psychology? Or will this be listed under "compulsive hoarding" in the DSM-IV and people should be medicated for it lol?

Some people might say this sounds like an inability to let go of the past (something I admit to having trouble with sometimes).

[Muser]

I'm incrediby sentimental and nostalgic. I can imagine myself in the distant future, living alone with all my memories/treasures (from childhood toys to home videos) to keep me company.

[Dynamic Equilibrium]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone, it is good to know I'm not alone in this and that it has a reasonable root in the wiring of my personality type. Being sentimental about certain objects, dates, or songs has just always felt irrational to me and didn't really seem to fit with other aspects of my personality (even before I learned about MBTI), it kind of makes me roll my eyes at myself, but now I see how it sorts out with Si.

@Sleeve Of Wizard - I doubt your keepsakes qualify as hoarding. Hoarding as a pathology requires a compulsion to acquire objects and an inability to discard them on an ongoing basis to a level that disrupts normal daily living. If your daily living is not disrupted by a compulsion towards procuring or keeping certain objects, or the logistics of storing them, then you're safe for now ;)
My mother is a true hoarder so I've researched it pretty significantly.