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How do you help an INFP? (5 ways)

By BetterTraits
Page last updated: 09/01/2022 | Next review date: 09/01/2024
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This blog post aims to answer the question, “How do you help an INFP?” and explore the various dimensions of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP that will help understand the answer. 

How do you help an INFP?

You can help an INFP in the following 5 ways – 

  • Meet the INFP where they’re at. 
  • Understand the INFP instead of lecturing.
  • Remind INFPs of their achievements in life.
  • Ask the INFP for their opinions. 
  • Recognize the INFP for what they did right.

These 5 ways of helping an INFP will be discussed in further detail below after taking a deeper look at what INFP means. 

Who is an INFP?

The INFP personality type was developed by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers, the authors of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®). INFP stands for Introversion, iNtuition, Feeling, and Perceiving, which are four key personality qualities based on C.G. Jung’s work.

Each of the four letters of the INFP code represents a significant personality feature of the INFP personality type. 

INFPs are stimulated by alone time (Introverted), focus on ideas and concepts rather than facts and specifics (iNtuitive), base their decisions on feelings and values (Feeling), and like to be spontaneous and flexible rather than planned and structured (Perceiving).

Because of their empathetic idealism and gentle concern for others, the INFP personality type is often known as the “Healer.” The INFP is also known by the following nicknames:

  • The Thoughtful Idealist (MBTI)
  • The Mediator (16Personalities)

An INFP prefers an unstructured and free-spirited lifestyle. INFP is an introverted and ultra-creative Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type. The INFP is sensitive, creative, and loyal to their values.

INFPs are creative idealists who are guided by their primary ideals and beliefs. A Healer who is preoccupied with possibilities; the actuality of the time is merely a fleeting concern. INFPs see the possibility of a brighter future and seek truth and purpose in their own unique way.

INFPs are sensitive, loving, and compassionate people who are highly concerned with their own and others’ personal progress. INFPs are individualistic and nonjudgmental, believing that each person must forge their own path. 

INFPs like spending time investigating their own ideas and ideals, and they gently encourage others to do the same. INFPs are creative and frequently artistic; they like discovering new ways to express themselves.   

INFP Personality Type Characteristics Are –

  • INFPs are introverts who are quiet and reserved. INFPs find that being in social situations depletes their energy, thus they prefer to connect with a small number of close pals. While they like being alone, this should not be mistaken for timidity. Rather, it simply implies that INFPs get energy from alone time. INFPs must, on the other hand, devote energy to social circumstances.
  • INFPs rely on intuition and are more concerned with the overall picture than the finer points of a situation. INFPs can be quite thorough about things that are important to them or tasks they are working on, yet they tend to overlook little or insignificant details.
  • INFPs value personal sentiments above everything else and their actions are affected more by these concerns than by objective data.
  • INFPs prefer to keep their choices open when it comes to making decisions. INFPs frequently put off making key judgments in case the circumstance changes. The majority of judgments are made based on personal ideals rather than reasoning.

What are these 5 ways you can help an INFP?

Meet the INFP where they’re at. 

Many INFPs choose not to speak out about their issues. Instead of hearing hollow promises from others who don’t completely get their situation, they choose to keep their pains hidden. 

The truth is that encouraging somebody to talk about a situation you don’t fully understand might be a sign of poisonous positivism rather than empathy.

It is tremendously draining to hear “you can do it!” while the INFP is wracked with worry and “winners don’t quit!” when all they wanted to do was give up. Although the intention is to lift INFPs up, it really feels contemptuous of their suffering.

Be sympathetic enough to express what INFPs are actually feeling if you want to reassure them. Be furious with what makes them furious. Be depressed over their troubles. Even better, cry with them.

Allowing them to vent makes everything quickly consoling and soothing. After a difficult talk, it calms INFPs and they could even chuckle heartily.

Understand the INFP instead of lecturing.

INFPs dislike receiving unwanted counsel. Despite their often superficial and silly behaviour, INFPs are complex, self-aware individuals. They loathe being told what to do and what not to do since, more often than not, they have already given their setbacks more thought.

In actuality, they are not requesting a solution. They most likely comprehend the issue, but they would desire to be free of their powerful feelings, such as anger, worry, and melancholy.

So, be kind enough to give them time to speak. Be a person who inquires, “How do you feel?” What took place? Good or bad? Find out what really annoys them. Let them divulge everything at their own pace.

Remind INFPs of their achievements in life.

Perhaps INFPs have accomplished a lot in life. They have a nasty tendency of discounting their victories and believing they weren’t deserving of any of them. They may experience days of meaninglessness and loss.

Bring to mind the instances when these good humans affected people with their creativity, compassion, insight, and even leadership when they feel helpless and trapped today. Make an INFP happy by honestly affirming them. Get rid of their self-doubt.

Describe their greatest qualities, the extent of the support they have provided for family and friends, their extraordinary accomplishments, the effect of their compassion, how they have motivated others, and what you like about them.

Ask the INFP for their opinions. 

INFPs cherished the opportunity to express their thoughts, values, and feelings. One of the main goals of an INFP, a peace-loving and intelligent soul, is to impart communal knowledge that has been developed through critical self-reflection.

They have a talent for seeing the big picture because of their strong Extraverted Intuition, and their insights never let you down. INFPs are astute enough to identify the problems, come up with solutions before anybody else, and assess the effectiveness of team members.

So, to make an INFP feel better, solicit their viewpoints. Take into account what they have to say since a group might benefit from their idealistic outlook. Asking an INFP for advice on life or relationships helps them rediscover their passion and purpose.

Recognize the INFP for what they did right.

It is important to recognise INFPs for their positive actions. They feel comfortable and assured when they are recognised. Contrarily, most INFPs don’t value praise if they believe they didn’t put in enough effort to get it.

They have criticism for the compliments they want to get. However, keep in mind that they are patiently waiting for appropriate acknowledgement even when they utilise their skills for the greater good and have a positive influence on others.

That being said, you must remember to give INFPs credit when they start a project, run a department to success, or substantially edit a piece to assist you to meet your criteria. Gratitude for their efforts will undoubtedly make INFPs pleased.

Conclusion – 

This blog post aimed to answer the question, “How do you help an INFP?” and reviewed the features and functions of the introverted and extremely inventive Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP to help determine how to help an INFP. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How do you help an INFP?

How can I help an INFP?

  • Validate their emotions. When someone asks how they are, INFPs enjoy it (they don’t love it, they get high off of it).
  • Be courteous in general. Not all of the time, but when it’s clear that the INFP needs a boost.
  • Begin a conversation about their favourite topic.

How do you cheer up an INFP?

3 Ways to Cheer Up an INFP –

  • Allow them to express their emotions. Listen, sympathise, and make an honest effort to comprehend what’s going on within them.
  • Let them know you care by consoling them.
  • Assist them with comprehension and solutions.

How do I make my INFP happy?

8 Things INFP Personality Needs to Be Happy –

  • New concepts to investigate.
  • A deep grasp of who they are.
  • Not social interaction, but human contact.
  • They have a goal in their job.
  • A source of motivation.
  • A place for them to express their creativity.
  • Time to be alone.
  • An emphasis on significance rather than on material objects.

What attracts an INFP?

INFPs are generally drawn to intellect and those who utilise their minds in unusual ways. INFPs are also drawn to those who are true and honest with them. They find someone who is actually authentic to be quite alluring, but someone who is false or shallow is exactly the opposite.

How does an INFP feel loved?

When love finds them, INFPs make it a priority, and they don’t want to let anything else get in the way. They also want the person they are in love with to have the same feelings for them and their relationship. This form of link and connection is something the INFP should respect and take seriously.

References-

How can I help a depressed INFP? Quora. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-help-a-depressed-INFP

36 Ways to Make Your INFP Happy. Psychologia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://psychologia.co/make-infp-happy/

Granneman, J. 12 Things INFPs Absolutely Need to Be Happy. Introvert, Dear. (2017, November 9). Retrieved from https://introvertdear.com/news/infp-needs-happy/

Watters, R. What to Do When You’re an INFP Who Is Constantly Doubting Yourself. Introvert, Dear. (2019, July 17).  Retrieved from https://introvertdear.com/news/infp-personality-self-doubt/

Storm, S. 12 Stress-Busting Techniques for INFPs. Psychology Junkie. (2016, August 2). Retrieved from https://www.psychologyjunkie.com/2016/08/02/12-stress-busting-techniques-infps/

Laura. Stress Relief for Mediators (INFPs). 16 Personalities. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.16personalities.com/articles/stress-relief-for-mediators-infps

Cherry, K. INFP: The Mediator (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving). (2021, July 23). Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/infp-a-profile-of-the-idealist-personality-type-2795987

INFP, The Healer. Truity. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.truity.com/personality-type/INFP/careers

Thompson, J. 7 Things INFPs Should Stop Doing if They Want to be Successful. Truity. (2017, June 6). Retrieved from https://www.truity.com/blog/7-things-infps-should-stop-doing-if-they-want-be-successful

INFP (Mediator) Personalities: 10 Fun Facts. BetterHelp. (2021, December 20). Retrieved from https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/personality/10-things-every-infp-personality-type-should-know/