The Confidant

As a person who is intrinsically nosy (i.e. why I became a therapist), I have always consoled myself with the fact that while I am overly inquisitive about what’s going on in other people’s lives, I am also intensely interested in figuring out my own dynamics as well. So when my friend Karen, put this personality test link up on her blog, I couldn’t resist. I had to know more about myself.

Here I am:

Turns out, I’m an INFJ – an apparently rare personality type. I knew it! I knew it! Not only am I one of only four people in the United States who hates cheese, but I am also a characterological anomaly. I’m like the unicorn in the make believe land of personality - except I exist.

And I am, apparently, a little strange.

No matter. I was intrigued by some of the insights about my personality that seemed right on target. For example:

Because the INFJ has such strong intuitive capabilities, they trust their own instincts above all else. This may result in an INFJ stubborness and tendency to ignore other people's opinions. They believe that they're right.

Yeah, you got a problem with that?

INFJs are deeply concerned about their relations with individuals as well as the state of humanity at large. They are, in fact, sometimes mistaken for extroverts because they appear so outgoing and are so genuinely interested in people…On the contrary, INFJs are true introverts…

It’s like looking in a mirror, people, reading this stuff.

INFJs are highly intuitive, empathetic and dedicated listeners. These traits tend to act as a "tell me what's wrong" sign on their forehead…

This trait makes people at the grocery store tell me all about their troubled marriages, their son’s criminal behavior, their daughter’s recent abortion, and their aunt’s third nipple.

(As an aside, I have started wearing my iPod whenever I go out alone so that folks don’t think they should talk to me.)

But here’s the quote that stopped me in my tracks:

At intervals INFJs will suddenly withdraw into themselves, sometimes shutting out even their intimates. This apparent paradox is a necessary escape valve for them, providing both time to rebuild their depleted resources and a filter to prevent the emotional overload to which they are so susceptible as inherent "givers." As a pattern of behavior, it is perhaps the most confusing aspect of the enigmatic INFJ character to outsiders, and hence the most often misunderstood…

I sent this quote to BFF Zingerzapper, and she cracked up. To her, this is such a part of my character that it doesn’t even bear discussion.

And so…and here you other intuitive types might guess where this is going…I’m taking a bit of a bloggy break.

Not a long one. Just for a few weeks. I’m feeling a need to “withdraw into myself” and replenish.

As proof of my good faith, I leave you with a few blog post ideas that have been rattling around in my head:

• Good Lessons from a Bad Boyfriend
• Yoga Toes
• Occupational Therapy is Magic
• On Guilt
• I Quit this Job…So Why Am I Still Working Here?
• Round Two with the Critical Inner Voice

See, I’ll have to write these up. So don’t fret, ma petite pumpkins, I’ll be back…in a while…it’s just part of my personality.