ENFP- Being told I'm INFP

I've heard from a number of members on the forum that they believe I'm INFP. Yeah, you've probably seen me post in the ISFJ and ENFJ forum as well... but those were obviously not for me. I am not a Ni nor a Fe user.



The thing is, when I read the descriptions of the INFP, they make a lot of sense (same with INFJ and ENFP). But my fiance is also INFP, and I note a LOT of differences in how I act between him and I, and myself and most of the INFPs on the board.

When I read the 'you know you're an INFP thread', I see a lot of intense caring about inanimate objects and the ability to strongly feel (or predict) the emotions of others. I do these things to some degree, but just not to the strength of what I see here. I almost find the emotional tone to this forum area overwhelming! It's certainly not bad, but I have a desire to help. When I see all the threads and all the help people request... it's like 'HOLY COW... what do I do and where do I start?!?!'.

I believe I'm an extravert because I am expressive (as in, I don't keep stuff in) and outgoing. I also prefer to have somebody around at all times. But people see that I don't like large groups and I get drained at activities in which I'm having to interact with multiple people at a time (like a group of 6+). I prefer to interact one-on-one most; my focus on people is very intense and I can't multi-task that ability very well. Being alone for too long though seriously depresses me, which makes sense when I read information about inferior Si (which falls under the ENFP category).

As a kid, I had a hard time relating to others because my focus was so different and more intense than most kids my age. My emotional intensity has always overwhelmed many people and I stick out like a sore thumb. I don't use eye contact and often my body language does not match what I think or feel. For example, if a person is telling me something important... often my eyes are closed, I'm fidgeting, and I'm not facing them. For some reason the sensory input when trying to hash out what they are saying is too distracting for me to deal with. I'm always listening to them and have a lot of compassion, but I see where they could find my positions to be indicative of not being interested in them. I'm trying to work on this, but find it extremely challenging.

My fiance consistently tells me that I tend to mirror people once I'm close to them; their ways of speaking, mannerisms, quirks. When I'm not around them, they don't present as much... but if I'm REALLY close to a person they will become part of who I am. If I do this, that means I usually approve of them as a person and enjoy their personality.

I am very creative with art and ideas; usually just started and never finished. Not organized, poor with time. I like to plan to some degree and like having everything clean, but I'm definitely not consistent with this. I wish I was better at follow through and never want to be thought of as a slob.

I don't know. Does any of this sound INFP to you?

By the way, I've also heard ISFJ, ESFJ as well. Yikes.

Let me know if I can explain any more. I also posted this on the INFP thread.

You seem pretty ENFP to me.
My guess would be too little usage of Te if anything.
ENFP = Ne Fi TE Si

You hardly mention it at all.
You seem to accept all info thrown at you without engaging Te.

This person said this, this person said that...
Your Te need to stop and ask itself.
Why would person A know that I'm a INFP.
What proof do they have?

Other than that I think you are fine and correctly typed.

Only thing I'm curios about is what types do you hang with when you get drained?
If you hang with lets say Se doms or Ti doms you are asking for drainage.
Just a tip! ;-)

Yea and to add most introverts know they're introverts and don't mistake themselves for extraverts (this doesn't mean they're actually introverts though, just that they don't think of themselves as such). Extraverts often mistake themselves for introverts.

I know three male ENFPs IRL and extroverted is not the word I would use to describe them.
However, the INFPs I know are incredibly shy and soft spoken, and the ENFPs are not. I think ENFPs are much more people-intelligent than their introverted counterparts. It's like they like being around people, but they can fade into the background at will.

Originally Posted by hornet

You seem pretty ENFP to me.
My guess would be too little usage of Te if anything.
ENFP = Ne Fi TE Si

You hardly mention it at all.
You seem to accept all info thrown at you without engaging Te.

This person said this, this person said that...
Your Te need to stop and ask itself.
Why would person A know that I'm a INFP.
What proof do they have?

Other than that I think you are fine and correctly typed.

Only thing I'm curios about is what types do you hang with when you get drained?
If you hang with lets say Se doms or Ti doms you are asking for drainage.
Just a tip! ;-)

Se types drain me most. I don't get them and find them to be selfish a lot more than other types. As for Te, that is kinda what I'm asking about the infp thing. I don't really see the proof! Enfp has always seemed clear and obvious because Ne has always been obvious with my ideas, energy, and open mindedness. I guess asking more people here is my Te way of saying help, give me more proof that is clear because I don't really agree.

Originally Posted by hornet

You seem pretty ENFP to me.
My guess would be too little usage of Te if anything.
ENFP = Ne Fi TE Si

You hardly mention it at all.
You seem to accept all info thrown at you without engaging Te.

This person said this, this person said that...
Your Te need to stop and ask itself.
Why would person A know that I'm a INFP.
What proof do they have?

Other than that I think you are fine and correctly typed.

Only thing I'm curios about is what types do you hang with when you get drained?
If you hang with lets say Se doms or Ti doms you are asking for drainage.
Just a tip! ;-)

I agree wholeheartedly. I'm much the same way in all of the things you mentioned, @Finaille and I'm more than confident in my type after a great deal of study. After all, it is said that ENFPs are the most introverted of extroverts (whatever that means). I can understand the mistyping... but I'd say you're definitely not mistyped :P

Originally Posted by Finaille

Se types drain me most. I don't get them and find them to be selfish a lot more than other types. As for Te, that is kinda what I'm asking about the infp thing. I don't really see the proof! Enfp has always seemed clear and obvious because Ne has always been obvious with my ideas, energy, and open mindedness. I guess asking more people here is my Te way of saying help, give me more proof that is clear because I don't really agree.

Not surprising since if we expand into your shadow we get.

ENFP shadow: Ni Fe Ti Se

With Se on the bottom of your shadow it almost doesn't register.

I'll refer you to our earlier discussion we had with regards to your type when you gave me the impression that you felt sure you were an ENFP afterwards:

Trying out the waters

Also about energy. Do social interactions drain you, or energize you - it's really the simplest answer.

The rest is just my theory based on self-reflection [so take it with a grain of salt]

If you're a 6 extrovert, then intellectual social interactions will energize you more than regular interactions
If you're a 9 extrovert, then conflict free and positive social interactions will energize you more than negative ones.
If you're a 2 extrovert, then helping others and being needed will energize you more than interactions where you feel you're being treated indifferently.

If you're a 6 introvert, then analysing theory and contemplating it will energize you and you will mainly discuss them when asked
If you're a 9 introvert, then seeking internal harmony may be more important to you than external harmony. You'll prefer your own sanctuaries, may be averse to change and not as risk taking as an extrovert
If you're a 2 introvert, then you'll see self-validation from giving rather than external praise.

These are again very coarse / rough generalizations based on my own analysis of others and myself [as I have a similar tri-type, I believe].

Originally Posted by Jawz

I'll refer you to our earlier discussion we had with regards to your type when you gave me the impression that you felt sure you were an ENFP afterwards:

Trying out the waters

Also about energy. Do social interactions drain you, or energize you - it's really the simplest answer.

The rest is just my theory based on self-reflection [so take it with a grain of salt]

If you're a 6 extrovert, then intellectual social interactions will energize you more than regular interactions
If you're a 9 extrovert, then conflict free and positive social interactions will energize you more than negative ones.
If you're a 2 extrovert, then helping others and being needed will energize you more than interactions where you feel you're being treated indifferently.

If you're a 6 introvert, then analysing theory and contemplating it will energize you and you will mainly discuss them when asked
If you're a 9 introvert, then seeking internal harmony may be more important to you than external harmony. You'll prefer your own sanctuaries, may be averse to change and not as risk taking as an extrovert
If you're a 2 introvert, then you'll see self-validation from giving rather than external praise.

These are again very coarse / rough generalizations based on my own analysis of others and myself [as I have a similar tri-type, I believe].

Wow that is some deep Enneagram stuff! :-o
Love it! =D

@Jawz - I think I am extraverted based on your Enneagram stuff. That's very deep and actually somewhat makes me doubt my fiance is a 6; he actually struggles with theory and tends to ignore unless given complete instructions on how it works. I'm not sure though. Do you have a thread with your opinions on all enneagram types, introverted and extraverted?

I believe I am ENFP and it makes sense. I had two people cry INFP and it just left me wondering again... which is primarily why I asked. I knew after debate that ENFJ didn't fit, though I've been called that too.

Weirdly enough, and I don't know HOW this makes sense... the type I identify with most after ENFP is ISFJ... o.O. INFP some, but I'm just not quite at that level. Think they are great though :).

Thanks for the insight guys. I'm just gonna stick with ENFP like I have been. A lot of people on here don't know me IRL and it's just frustrating when they can't know me... or talk to me... I know I miss so many details when I post threads like this.