The Comprehensive INFP Survival Guide

by Heidi Priebe

a direct re-engagement of introverted feeling is not always possible for the INFP who has been operating from their extroverted thinking for a significant period of time, as they will have adopted the habit of guarding their introverted feeling against any possibility of insult—which is, ironically, the exact sort of exposure Fi needs in order to return to health.

- this is why I quit Instagram and stopped putting myself out there…

Engaging extroverted thinking in a healthy manner means: Learning to re-frame your weaknesses as opportunities for self-improvement. Setting concrete creative goals that you work toward steadily and deliberately—even on the days when you are not feeling inspired. Openly advocating for yourself and your work using any means available to you. Scheduling periods of time to devote to reflection and self-care when you are under stress. Breaking long-term goals down into a series of short-term objectives. Regularly checking in on your short-term objectives and adjusting them as need be.

Though the INFP initially loathes placing confines on their creativity, they will soon come to find that the more they are engaging their extroverted thinking, the more they are able to accomplish—and the more their confidence grows as a result.

This type has a tendency to set their ideals so high that they become lost on how to even get started accompl...

The key for the INFP’s return to health is for them to start small. The more this type engage their extroverted thinking healthily—by setting and rising to a series of achievable challenges—the more difficult it becomes for them to label themselves as failures. And consequently, the more introverted sensing picks up on the fact that the INFP is no longer flailing.

Engaging introverted sensing in a healthy manner means: Taking deliberate care of your physical health—eating balanced meals and getting regular exercise. Maintaining a routine for a minimum of one month that maximizes productivity (don’t neglect to schedule in self-care and relaxation time). Keeping track of the goals you’ve been accomplishing and celebrating your progress as you go. Taking note of which habits, routines and goal-setting strategies work best for you, so that you can continue to employ them in the future. Deliberately engaging in activities that you’ve historically enjoyed, even if you aren’t feeling enthused about them at the time.